Dale Erickson

Fort Collins, Colo.

Dale Vincent Erickson, 91, of Fort Collins, Colorado, passed away December 5, 2023 in his home.

On May 12, 1932, Dale came into the world on the kitchen table of the family farm in Otis Township, near Ruso, ND where he spent his youth. He was an outstanding scholar being number one in his class throughout elementary school. He liked to point out that there was only one student in his grade and a mere twenty students in the entire school, to which he rode to and from on horseback.

Eager to get into business, at age nine he partnered with his friend, Bobby Hochsprung, and they ran a horse and wagon on a threshing crew, sleeping in hay mows at night. He would eventually turn that early income into a small herd of cattle and those cattle into his future business, an Insurance Agency in Minot, North Dakota.

After high school he was drafted into the US Army and was a Sergeant in A Company of the 17th Infantry during the Korean War earning several awards including the Bronze Star for extraordinary bravery under fire in both battles for Porkchop Hill. The war did have its lighter moments and Dale’s favorite was when he found himself wearing an Easter Bonnet onstage with the actress Piper Laurie. Later in life he would have the opportunity to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington, DC and also receive an additional Medal of Gratitude from the Korean Government due to his service. At the age of 85 he still fit into his uniform and looked like a million bucks while doing so.

Honorably discharged from the Army, he enrolled at the University of North Dakota, where he received a BS in Business Administration while working for Sam Silverman selling men’s suits. He would later use the BS to great advantage. Family life soon followed when he married Donna Luedke at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot where he was a long time member.

Dale was a terrific dancer and spent a lot of time on the dance floor during his lifelong membership in the Elks Lodge, where he served as an Exalted Ruler. He was a member of the Minot Country Club and enjoyed playing golf with friends and family, as well as playing cards in the clubhouse afterwards. Rumor has it they occasionally enjoyed a friendly wager on the games.

In 1989 Dale moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where he opened Corporate Identity Advertising, a promotions business, continuing to enjoy work until recently.

Throughout his life family was his focus, and he was very proud of the special relationships he developed with his children, nieces and nephews (you know who you are Ape Lincoln), grand-children, and great-grandchildren over the years. He enjoyed the game of backgammon and particularly loved sending people to the “pengweeen islands” regardless of their age.

Recently Dale was looking back on his life and commented “upon reflection, I’m pretty sure I’d make all the same mistakes again.”

Dale is survived by his sister Grace Thompson, Minot, ND, sister-in-law Doris Erickson, Washington, children Dana (Ron) Goodman, Grand Forks, ND, Denise (Ed) Andrews, Loveland, CO, David (Ann Seehof) Erickson, Puerto Rico, Deanna (Steph) Erickson, Aurora, CO; eleven grandchildren Brian (Chilly) Goodman, Michael (Sam) Sadler, Erick (Chloe) Andrews, Ryan Andrews, Max Erickson, Madison Erickson, Hunter Erickson, Haley Erickson, Josie Erickson, Abby Erickson, and Izzy Erickson; and six great-grandchildren Lilly Goodman, Bingo Goodman, Gigi Goodman, Noah Sadler, Oscar Sadler, and Hazel Andrews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Hilda Erickson, brother Floyd Erickson, sister Lucille McBride, brother-in-law Bob McBride, brother-in-law Denny Thompson, nephew Terry Riba and daughter Linda Erickson.

His friends are invited to join the Family for Cocktails and Memories on Wednesday, December 27 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm in the Bar at the Fort Collins Elks Lodge. A memorial in North Dakota is planned for late summer.

Dale was a great guy who touched the hearts of many people. We will miss his hugs, jokes, infectious laugh, and endless stream of one-liners.

We love you Dale!

God Bless.

Published by The Minot Daily News, December 12, 2023.