12/31/2020 7:45:00 AM Celebration of Life for Dave Erickson planned for this summer at Zion
David E. Erickson, a well-known and regarded Stewartville community member and beloved teacher of the Stewartville school district, passed away at his home with his family by his side on Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. David Edward Erickson was born on April 16, 1942 in Owatonna to Clinton and Rosella (Nelson) Erickson. He was born into the life of the family farm, attended country school and graduated in 1960 from Owatonna High School. David valued learning and set forth to continue his education, first at Austin Junior College and then on to St. Cloud State University, where he earned his bachelors degree in education. As a lifelong student himself, he topped off his education experience earning a masters degree from Winona State University in 1973. David was married on Dec. 31, 1966 at Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Austin to Beverley A. Hammermeister. They began their life together in Truman, where David taught as a seventh grade history teacher. Bev and Dave moved to Stewartville in 1969, following an opportunity to teach in the local school district. This is where they set roots and grew their family and life. Continuing his love to connect and shape young minds, Mr. Erickson taught seventh grade history for the next 30 years and was a committed and enthusiastic coach for junior high football and wrestling. He was wellknown for his efforts and successes for recruiting young athletes into these sports and was an active member of the Stewartville Wrestling Boosters. Dave was grateful to have had the experience to coach his sons, Charles and Carl, in wrestling and football; and through his daughter, Cathy, he was a permanent fixture and ultimate fan of Stewartville High School Volleyball. Grounded in his love of high school and collegiate athletics, these moments created lifelong memories for Dave and his children and a continued connection to Stewartville school sports. His accolades in coaching are recognized through his inductions into the Stewartville Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Region 1 Wrestling Alumni Hall of Fame in 2020. Both awards he was incredibly proud and honored to receive. Mr. Erickson retired from his permanent teaching job in 1999, but his role as an educator was not yet finished. He continued to substitute teach in the Stewartville schools, covering various grades and subjects, up to five days a week for the next 20 years. This time in his life created opportunities for him to connect with his passion and support generations of students. Beverly was a longtime employee as a bookkeeper for Erdmans and then Boyum Foods in Stewartville. She most recently was employed at Hy-Vee South in Rochester. Dave was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville, where he served on the church council. Dave's adoration of Northern Minnesota, lakes, and the outdoors, were a close second to his love of the Stewartville community. He immensely enjoyed his cabin on Bowstring Lake and how it created a foundation for family memories and multitudes of fishing opener gatherings. Grandpa Erickson loved to experience mountain and forest adventures with his grandchildren, Keenan and Georgia, with a childlike sense of enthusiasm. His sense of learning through journeys brought he and Bev to Europe, several trips to Florida during the winter months, and many meaningful moments spent in Colorado with their grandchildren. Farming never fully left his blood as he methodically planned and planted his garden every year and was very proud of what it produced. Never shying away from a exploring a new interest, in his later years Dave delved into archery, offshore fishing, grape growing, and cycling. Dave is survived by his wife, Beverly; his children, Charles (Kate) of Montrose, Carl of Waconia, and Catherine (Neil) Swanson and grand-children, Keenan and Georgia of Colorado Springs, Colorado; his sister, LouAnne Larson of Ely; and uncle Ezra (Louise) Erickson of Owatonna. He was preceded in death by his parents, niece, Lory Drummond, nephew, Bryan Rieken and wife Sue, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, who he adored and will be looking forward to seeing again. Due to public health concerns no service or visitation will be held at this time. A private family burial and committal service will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Stewartville. A Celebration of Life for Dave will take place this summer at Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville, with the time and date to be determined. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Dave are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.
