Randall Erickson

Randall Erickson was born October 5, 1919 to Alfred and Lydia (Johnson) Erickson in a sod house in rural Grant County, ND. As a teenager, Randy went to live with an uncle in Garretson, SD. He attended school and graduated from Garretson High School. Randy served in the US Army from 1941-1945 serving in the Asia-Pacific Theatre during WWII. After his discharge, Randy returned to Garretson and attended a trade school to become an electrician. Randy met Velma Preuss in Jasper, MN in May of 1946 and married on December 29, 1948. He was confirmed into the Lutheran faith in 1949. Their marriage was blessed with 6 children. In 1958, Randy moved his family to Phoenix, AZ where he eventually owned an electrical contracting business for 40 years until retirement. In 1991 Randy joined Laborers for Christ. He helped build 15 churches across the US. Randy enjoyed traveling the world, visiting relatives in Sweden, Germany and England just to name a few. Randy was a strong Christian, devoted family man, loved to play cards, do puzzles, hike, camp and cook. Randall died on Monday, December 22, 2014 at the Fairmont Medical Center-Mayo Health Systems. Randall is survived by his wife, Velma Erickson, Fairmont, MN; two daughters, Lori (Tim) Bartels, Truman, MN, Ronda (Dan) Peterka, St. Louis, MN; three sons, Rodney Erickson, Phoenix, AZ, James Erickson, Phoenix, AZ, Dana Erickson and friend Trina Spangle, Phoenix, AZ; 11 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; one brother, Ray (Phyllis) Erickson, Brandon, SD; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Jerrold Erickson; two brothers and two sisters.