Cover photo for Donald Erickson's Obituary
Donald Erickson Profile Photo

Donald Erickson

d. October 6, 2016

Donald Erickson

Donald Gene “Swede” Erickson passed away quietly at North Idaho Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene on October 6, 2016. Don was born in Albion, NB, on January 2, 1935 to Theresa Mannlein and Cecil Erickson. He moved with his family to the Fraser area of Clearwater County in north central Idaho when he was one year old. Cecil was a professional boxer, and he taught his son the love of the sport at a young age. Don attended Fraser Elementary School and Weippe High School.

As a young man, Don worked in the logging and lumber industries, ranched, and broke horses. He also loved rodeo, competing in bull- and bareback-riding, and he and his brother were instrumental in founding the Weippe Rodeo; five decades later, the brothers were honored as Grand Marshals of the Weippe Rodeo Parade. Everybody knew Don at the rodeo and his kids always looked to him like he was the best one there.

In the mid-50s Don married Shirley Hayes of Orofino, ID, and they lived in the Weippe area where their four oldest children, Jerry, Jim, Linda and Laurie were born; they later moved to Council, ID, where Don worked in the lumber industry. The couple lived briefly in Longivew, WA, where their youngest son, Joe, was born before purchasing a home and settling outside Estacada, OR. Don worked for Asplundh Tree Expert Company and enjoyed keeping a huge fruit and vegetable garden, and Shirley canned much of the family’s food. The five children grew up there and attended Estacada schools. No matter where they lived, Don always made it home to the North Fork of the Clearwater River for hunting season. He treasured his time on Pot Mountain with his hunting buddies, and Shirley and the kids often accompanied him when the kids’ school schedules allowed. He loved his time out in the middle of nowhere, but he always knew where he was. Don and Shirley divorced but remained dear friends throughout Don’s life.

In the late-70s, Don returned to Idaho and lived in Weippe. He was a working cowboy in the employ of a large ranch near Asotin, WA. In the early-80s he married Carolyn Hoyt Thornton of Cardiff, ID. Don developed loving relationships with Carolyn’s five children. Don and Carolyn moved to Bow, WA, where Don worked for Davey Tree Expert Service until his retirement. Don and Carolyn were members of Allen United Methodist Church where Carolyn sang in the choir and they enjoyed monthly spaghettis feeds at the Community Hall. At their home in Bow, Don again indulged his love of growing things, adding gourds, gladiolas and iris to his large vegetable gardens. After his retirement, Don opened a small engine repair shop and worked as a welder for a local dairy farm. In his workshop he also designed and built tools and handcrafted décor and art pieces. Don continued living on their farm in Bow after Carolyn’s death in 2010.

Don spent the last six years of his life with his beloved companion, Ann Lundt Wallin, first commuting back and forth between Ann’s home in Coeur d’Alene and his home in Bow, then permanently returning to Idaho in 2014. Don and Ann enjoyed traveling the Northwest, camping, hunting, fishing, and visiting old friends. They frequently returned to the Weippe area where they shared many memories. As Don’s health declined, they limited their traveling to walks around the neighborhood and spent many happy hours simply talking or watching TV and holding hands.

Throughout his life Don loved music, poetry and dancing. He had dozens of cowboy poems and songs committed to memory and often recited and sang for family and friends. He will be remembered for his welcoming grin and his love of life and family. He will always be in our hearts.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Glen Lewis Erickson, and his wife, Carolyn Hoyt Thornton Erickson. He is survived by his companion Ann Lundt Wallin; his former wife Shirley Erickson; his children, Jerry Erickson, Jim Erickson, Linda Panus, Laurie Jo Brewster and Joe Erickson; his stepchildren, Robert Thornton, Jeff Thornton, Beverly Repass, Steven Thornton, and Carla Thornton; his nieces and nephew, Dawn Marie Roby, Terri Lashly, and Cecil Erickson; 27 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

Friends and family members may visit www.englishfuneralchapel.com to view an online guest book and upload notes, memories and photographs. A memorial picnic will be held in Don’s honor at Fraser Park in Weippe, ID, at a later date. Memorials may be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835.

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