Roger Erickson, 79, of Wadena, Iowa died Monday, March 11, 2019 at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union, Iowa. Leigh Roger, son of Johnny and TeoLena (Olson) Erickson was born May 23, 1939 in Elkader, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. Roger attended Wadena School and graduated in 1957. After graduation he attended one year of business school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He then came home and farmed with his dad.
On February 15, 1964 Roger was united in marriage with Joyce Bushkofsky at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Volga, Iowa. They made their home on the family farm located on the Wadena-Volga road, where they lived and raised their family for forty-one years. In 2006, they moved into Wadena. All his life, Roger was a farmer and always had cattle around him. Roger especially liked spring time, when the new calves were born. Until recently he went to the farm daily to check on his cattle. Many great memories from our life there! Roger enjoyed fishing and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Roger is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Joyce; four sons, Brian (Patti) of Sioux City, Iowa, Roger (Leta) of Wadena, Iowa, Darin (Julie) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Galen (Emie Yiannaka) of Lincoln, Nebraska; one daughter, Anita (Chad Lerch) Franklin of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; ten grandchildren, Bradley Erickson, David Erickson, Jack Erickson, Owen Erickson, Elizabeth Erickson, Eleas Erickson, Adonis Erickson, Trey (Cally) Sparks, Garrett Franklin and Ben Lerch; two great-grandchildren, Ryder and Maddyn Sparks; two sisters, Mary Lou Loeb of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Joyce (Dave) Munson of Weatherby, Missouri; four sisters-in-law, Dorothy Bushkofsky, Joan Bushkofsky, Marie Bushkofsky and Juleen Every; brothers-in-law, Norman Erickson and Ron Bushkofsky; and many nieces and nephews.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and TeoLena Erickson; one brother, Carl Erickson on May 7, 2017; brothers-in-law, Robert Bushkofsky, Loren Bushkofsky, Leland Every and Bob Loeb; and sister-in-law, Marilyn Erickson.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 m on Friday, March 15, 2019 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Volga, Iowa. There will also be a one hour visitation before services at the church on Saturday.
Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Volga, Iowa.
Burial will follow at Wadena Cemetery, Wadena, Iowa
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elgin, Iowa is helping the family with arrangements.