Ronnie's time with family and friends has passed - now he's tinkering on an array of projects in heaven, honoring America and its flag that meant so much to him, and doing something to help wildlife.
Ronald S. Erickson, born to Edward and Olga Erickson (Thorson) in Ruso, N.D. Aug. 18, 1928, passed away Aug. 22, 2018.
Memorial service is Aug. 30, 10:30 a.m. at United Church of Christ, Garrison, with 2 p.m. North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery internment.
Ronnie met Marlene Carlson while working at McLean Electric Cooperative in the late 1940s. They married on Flag Day, June 14, 1952 while he served as a MP in the U.S. Army.
He returned to McLean Electric after military service working 40 years as lineman, line foreman, and retiring as the cooperative's first operations manager.
Ron was always busy between family, work, and volunteering for the Garrison city and rural fire districts, Sakakawea Pheasants Forever, and American Legion Post 49.
A life member of Post 49 and the Legion's 40 et 8, he proudly served on its Honor Guard. His love of hunting and firearms is why he's a National Rifle Association life member. His love of hunting and wildlife is why he dedicated much of his retirement time to Sakakawea Pheasants Forever.
Ronnie leaves his wife, Marlene, son Stephen (Susane), daughter Patricia (Rod) Stockdill, brother Eddie, sister Viola Gullickson, sister-in-law Carmen Carlson, several nieces and nephews, and some of his "projects".
Those passing before him include his parents, Edward and Olga Erickson, mother- and father-in-law, Lucy and Ernest Carlson, brothers, Orris, Al, and Donnie, and brother- and sister-in-law's Clare and Paul Angell, Donna and Pete Peterson, Dwight and LaVonne Carlson, John Carlson, Carol and George Rainoff.
Instead of flowers, Ronnie would prefer memorials supporting American Legion Post 49 or North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery – or think about tomorrow and consider planting a tree or pollinating flowers in the spring, put up a birdhouse, fill a birdbath, or add a birdfeeder so future generations can enjoy the things that meant so much to him.