James O. Erickson

James O. Erickson, 69, Lake Park, MN, died Saturday, May 20, 2017, in his home on Big Cormorant Lake

James Ordean Erickson was born February 26, 1948, at DeLamere, ND, to Ernest and Wilma Hlavnicka Erickson. Jim was baptized and confirmed at Comstock Lutheran Church in Comstock, MN. He grew up on a farm near Hickson, ND and attended grade school there. He attended high school at Kindred, ND. He joined the United States Army and received an honorable discharge on June 24, 1968.

Jim married Colleen Sorlie on September 14, 1968, at North Viking Lutheran Church in Maddock, ND. He worked for the Chevy dealerships in the Fargo/Moorhead area until 1989. At that time they moved to Big Cormorant Lake, south of Lake Park. He then became a part owner of Simison Marine on Pelican Lake, and was there until he began working in the service department at Nereson Chevrolet in Detroit Lakes, MN. He received the GM Mark of Excellence Award several years in a row. He retired in July 2012.

Jim enjoyed pontooning at the lake and snowmobiling, until his accident in 2001 when he injured his right arm. He was most happy when surrounded by his family and friends. Jim loved helping people. If anyone needed anything, he’d say, “I’ll get right on it. ”

He was a longtime member and officer of the Moorhead Rod and Gun and was a member of Cormorant Lutheran Church, Midnight Riders Snowmobile Club and Cormorant Lakes Sportsman’s Club.

Jim and Colleen had no children of their own, but had nieces and nephews who they claimed as their “adopted kids”; David Jacobson Kelli, Michelle Heiden Milo, Monty Jacobson Brooke, Eric Erickson and NeCole Erickson. He also had 8 great-nieces and nephews and 5 great-great nieces and nephews. He was blessed to have 8 godchildren, all who were very special to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Wilma Erickson; his father and mother-in-law, Colgate and Anna Sorlie; his sister, Joan Erickson Kaiser, his brother, Eugene Erickson, and his infant brother, Larry Erickson.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 23, 2017, from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. with a prayer service at 8:30 P.M., at Wright Funeral Home in Hawley. Visitation will continue from 3:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M., followed by the funeral service at 4:00 P.M., at Cormorant Lutheran Church in Lake Park on Wednesday, May 24, 2017. Interment will be in the church cemetery.