Dale R. Erickson, 89, passed away peacefully at the Clearwater Care Center on Monday, October 17, 2016. Dale was born on September 30, 1927, to Hjalmer and Minnie (Sands) Erickson. He grew up on the family farm in the town of Drammen and graduated from the Eau Claire Senior High School in 1945. He was married to Avis Tollefson on June 12, 1948, at Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church. In 1984 Dale retired from Ed Phillips & Sons where he was a sales associate for many years. After retirement, he and Avis spent a lot of time working on, and maintaining, their hobby farm in the town of Drammen and traveling North America from Canada to Alaska, Arizona, Texas, and Florida with their 5th wheel trailer for many years. Dale had many passions and hobbies in life in addition to the farm and traveling. He was a skilled carpenter and completed many projects over the years on their home and for friends and relatives. He was an avid hunter and lived for deer and turkey hunting on the farm. He loved all animals from horses to cows, and especially dogs. He had one or two dogs by his side his entire life until 2012 when he had to say goodbye to his beloved schnauzer, Sophi. He was a good man with strong faith in the Lord and lived his life guided by high standards and values. He took special interest in the sport of ski jumping when his sons Ken and Bill were young, that lasted about 20 years. He was an adult leader with the flying Eagles Junior Ski Club in the late 50's through the 70's and was instrumental in the development and construction of the Eau Claire Ski Club's Silver Mine Hill. He was a friend to many and never met a person he didn't like. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Avis; son, Bill (Pat) of Tomahawk, WI; daughter, Jayne (James) Bellesbach of Port St. Joe, FL; daughter-in-law, Karen Erickson of Salcha, AK; brother, John (Clarice) Erickson of Eleva, WI; 2 sisters-in-law, Sharon Vogler of Eau Claire and Agnes Erickson of Valleyford, CA; brother-in-law, Ron (Roxie) Tollefson of Ham Lake, MN; 6 grandchildren, Raith (Katja) Erickson of Fort Washington, MD, Kaiya (Brandon) Carlson of Ankorage, AK, Tanya (Tony) Hollis of Fairbanks, AK, Ty (Karin) Erickson of Duluth, MN, Jackie (Tom) Arns of Peyton, CO, and Justin Bellesbach of Boca Roton, FL; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Dale is preceded in death by his parents; son, Ken; 4 brothers, Chester, Howard, Henry, and Leroy; 6 sisters, Rose, Margie, Eleanor, Violet, Doris, and Gloria; father and mother-in-law, Norris and Gladys Tollefson; and brother-in-law, Bernie Vogler. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2016, at the Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church, W2450 Co Rd WW, Eleva, with Pastor JonPaul Dragseth officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2016, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave, Eau Claire, and again one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church Cemetery following the funeral service.

Service Information

Cemetery

Pleasant Valley Lutheran Cemetery W2450 County Rd WW Eleva WI 54738

Visitation

Friday, October 21 2016 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services 814 First Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703

Funeral Service

Saturday, October 22 2016 11:00 AM

Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church W2450 County Rd WW Eleva WI 54738