West Fargo, ND – Leland “Lee” Elmer Erickson, 77, of West Fargo, ND, passed away Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at Bethany Retirement Living, Fargo, ND with his wife by his side.
Lee was born January 14, 1944 in Crookston, to Elmer O. and Pearl (Prosser) Erickson. He grew up in Lake Bronson, where he attended school.
He married Dawn Van Sickle on August 15, 1965 at Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.
Lee graduated from Pharmacy School at NDSU, where he was a member of the NDSU ROTC Program. He was a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps and served in the Vietnam War.
Following his honorable discharge, Lee and Dawn lived in Mundelein, IL and he worked for a pharmacy in Lake Bluff, IL. In 1975, they moved to Thief River Falls, where they spent over 25 years. During that time, he owned J & B Drug and Corner Drug and, after selling the drug store, worked at Thrifty White Drug. In 1999, Lee and Dawn moved to Minot, ND to own and operate the Roughrider Campground and where he worked for Key Care Pharmacy. Lee and Dawn sold the campground and moved to Fargo in 2008. Lee ultimately retired from Thrifty White Drug in Fargo in 2012.
Lee enjoyed going to his property near Karlstad where he could be found hunting, camping, cutting wood, and enjoying the outdoors. After his retirement, Lee and Dawn would go on an RV adventure every spring to a different part of the United States, eventually traveling to 47 states. Their favorite traveling companions were always their beloved dogs.
He is survived by his wife, Dawn, of 55 years, of West Fargo, ND; children, Jon (Kathy) Erickson of West Fargo, ND, Amy (Jason) Evenson of Brooklyn Park; 3 grandchildren, Megan Erickson, Amber Erickson and Madeline Evenson; sister, Sharon Rhoads of Costa Mesa, CA; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Ken Rhoads.
A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Triumph Lutheran Church West Fargo Campus, with visitation starting at 10 a.m. The service was live streamed on Boulger Funeral Home’s website.
Interment: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo.
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