Holt – Virgil Erickson, 91, of Holt, passed away on Friday, November 12, 2021 of natural causes at his home in East Valley Township, Marshall County.
Virgil Dale Erickson was born on November 5, 1930 in East Valley Township, the son of Eneas and Olga (Olson) Erickson, on the farm homesteaded in 1889 by his grandparents, Hendrik and Kerstin Erickson from Sweden. He attended grade school at the Ringbo Country School, one year of high school in Holt, and graduated in 1948 from Newfolden High School, Newfolden. He enrolled in a welding class at the vocational school in Thief River Falls after high school.
Virgil worked for various farmers in the Stephen area, picked potatoes in the fall, and also worked for his uncle Hilmer Erickson in the blacksmith shop in Holt, and farmed the home place. In 1961 he started working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge near Holt and retired in 1993 after 32 years of service. He was actively serving as clerk of East Valley Township, an office he held for 47 years.
On December 31, 1960 Virgil was united in marriage to Cathy Oxford at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in White Earth and they were blessed with six children. Virgil and Cathy met at a dance in Waubun, when he was working as a camp ranger at Camp Waubunaquat Boy Scout Camp east of White Earth.
A dedicated farmer all his life, Virgil took pride in his hard work ethics and raised his family to honor that legacy. He was proud of his ability to plant straight rows, raise quality beef cattle, and was honored to have 4th and 5th generation family farmers work alongside of him. He was especially proud of the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also was a proud supporter of his wife’s music, The Cathy Erickson Band.
A quote from a granddaughter’s posting sums it up: “thankful God let you have: ONE more harvest, ONE more birthday, ONE more deer hunt, ONE more family get-together, before HE took you to Heaven.”
Virgil is survived by Cathy, his loving wife of 60 years; 5 children, Sheila (Russ) Holtan of Oakwood, ND, Timothy (Teri Walraven) Erickson of Cabot, AR, Patrick (Tami Coltom) Erickson of Bemidji, Mary Jo Erickson Sturman of Grand Forks, ND, Andy (Shawna Antony) Erickson of Garfield; daughter-in-law, Corie (Bill) Erickson-Oliver; 17 grandchildren, Katrina (Larry) Tollefson, Kassi (Scott) Winge, Tyler Erickson, Travis (Amber) Erickson, Justine (Dalfred) John, David (Brandy) Erickson, Lorie (Michael) Anderson, McKayla Erickson, Dr. Hailey Erickson, Sara (Brady) Hand, Zoey Erickson, Allison (Michael) Slominski, Jesse (Toni Jo) Sturman, Sgt. Billy Sturman, Madyson, Sydney and Harley Erickson; grandson-in-law, Danny (Natasha) Piché; 15 great-grandchildren, Brooke and Brody Tollefson, Maysie and Keenan Srnsky, Brock, Lexi and Bryce Piché, Lydia and Louis Slominski, Luke and Parker Sturman, Rylie Erickson, Ava John, Natalie and Malia Anderson, plus a Slominski baby due any day; one brother, Floyd (Ellen) Erickson of St. Paul; brothers-in-law, Larry Schiltz of Minnetonka, Harry Oxford of Hoyt Lakes, Kenneth Oxford of Hanley Falls; sister-in-law, Pauline Oxford of St. Paul; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, Eneas and Olga Erickson; his grandparents, Hendrik and Kerstin Erickson; sisters, Violet Becklund and Ione Schiltz; son, Paul; granddaughter, Kelsey (Holtan) Piché; brother-in-law, George Oxford; and brother-in-law and special hunting friend, Russell Becklund.
May his legacy live on in the lives of his family.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Middle River, with Father Duane Pribula officiating.
Visitation will take place at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Middle River, two hours before the funeral services on Saturday, November 20, 2021. Burial will take place at the Holt Cemetery, Holt, following lunch and fellowship at the Middle River American Legion Post 444.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com. A00003B2021NV17