Micheal R. “Mike” Erickson

Micheal Roy “Mike” Erickson, loving husband and father, passed away at home at the age of 70, on June 14, 2022, under the care of his wife, daughter, and Hospice of the Red River Valley, after years of struggling with a rare neurological disease, Corticobasal Degeneration.

Mike was born July 21, 1951, in Roseau, MN, the third child of Arthur B. and Norma (Folling) Erickson.

Mike grew up on the family farm by Roseau. He helped with the farming, and in the winter, logging in the Beltrami Forest. He graduated from Roseau High School in 1970, and went on to attend Thief River Falls AVTI, graduating with a degree in Accounting.

On June 5, 1971, Mike enlisted in the North Dakota Air National Guard at Hector Field in Fargo, ND. He served as a Fuel Specialist at Hector Field. Sergeant Micheal R. Erickson was honorably discharged on June 4, 1977. Mike was very proud of his years in the Air National Guard.

Mike’s work history included working as a bookkeeper for Steiger Mfg., Toreq, Inc, and Wennbergs, Inc. He was the Fiscal Manager at Northwest Community Action in Badger, MN. He then changed career paths and worked in maintenance at Oakland Park Nursing Home and for Pennington County. He especially enjoyed his years working at the nursing home. He loved the interaction with the residents and doing what he could to make them happy and their home a place of comfort.

Mike met the love of his life, Becky Dunker, while working at Northwest Community Action. He and Becky were married July 2, 1983, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Jackson, MN. Mike and Becky were blessed with a daughter, Catherine “Cathy”, in 1985. They made their home in Thief River Falls, MN, until 2016, when they moved to Moorhead, MN, to be closer to Cathy.

Mike was happiest when he could be out in the “woods” (Beltrami Forest), driving around, picking blueberries, and enjoying nature. He loved the outdoors whether it was gardening, mowing lawn, blowing snow, or just enjoying God’s creations.

Mike was a collector. He collected Coca-Cola and John Deere items, along with anything else that caught his interest. He also loved animals. Mike had a special dog, Kasey, who was his pride and joy. He took Kasey on many adventures, even visiting residents in nursing homes. During the past few years as his condition deteriorated, Cathy’s dog, Mindy, took on the role of “therapy dog”. Cathy would bring Mindy each morning and she would spend the day with Mike, sitting in his chair, napping on the bed, and even occasionally crawling into the shower with him. Mindy checked out all the people that came to care for or visit Mike during his last couple of years. She approved of them all!

Mike was extremely generous. He was often thinking of others and what he could do for them. He enjoyed shopping for just the right birthday and Christmas gifts for Becky and Cathy. Mike was devoted to Cathy, continually doing things with her, or helping her. He eagerly dressed up each year for Halloween to take her Trick-or-Treating. He attended her school events. He was more than happy to help with car shopping, and even guided her in buying her first house.

Mike’s exceptional generosity will help others for years to come as he chose to donate his brain to science. Due to the rarity of these neurodengenerative diseases, not a lot of research is able to be done. By the donation of his brain, he hoped to help others, or as he would say, “I’m not going to need it anyway.”

Mike had an unusual memory. He could remember family history, who’s related to whom and how, dates, and lots of other tidbits. He never forgot a face.

Mike had a strong faith in God, which gave him great comfort as he struggled with his horrible disease. Growing up he was a member of First Lutheran in Salol, MN. While living in Thief River Falls, he belonged to Abundant Life Lutheran. After moving to Moorhead, he joined Bethesda Lutheran. He served various roles in each church. Attending Sunday worship services was very important to him.

Mike is survived by his wife, Becky; daughter, Cathy; siblings, Judy (Walter) Storey, Terry Erickson, Mary (Kip) Nelson, Jeff (Penny) Erickson; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Randy; and niece, Darcy.

Memorials may be given to Bethesda Lutheran Church, 401 40th Avenue South Moorhead, MN 56560, or Hospice of the Red River Valley 1701 38th St. South Fargo, ND 58103.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022, from 9-10 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 10:00 at Bethesda Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN.

Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.

Video Tribute, online guestbook and a Livestream of the service can be found on Mike’s obituary page at www.wrightfuneral.com