Obituary of Stephen Erickson

Stephen (Steve) Eric Erickson was born on July 11, 1943 in Swedish Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the son of Lorraine (Lorene) Beatrice Ness O'Conner Erickson and Dwaine Wilford Erickson. The Erickson Family has deep roots in the village of Cambridge. Just before the turn of the Century, Steve's grandfather, Erick Erickson, founded the Cambridge Independent Oil Company (on the corner of Highways 65 and 95). Stephen was very proud of his Cambridge heritage. At the time of his death, Steve was 65 years old and for the past 37 years, lived in Saint Cloud, MN. In 1978 he "pioneered" 10 acres of land outside of Saint Cloud on which he built the Erickson family home. The Erickson family just celebrated the 31st anniversary of "the homestead" on April 1st. The heavily wooded land was cleared by Steve and there is virtually no tree on the property that wasn't in some way either planted or trimmed by Steve. On Sunday, April 5, while trimming one of those trees, he fell and his injuries instantly claimed his life. Steve attended Cambridge Schools and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1961. He was a sports enthusiast and played on the football team. His high school friends were always important to him. Steve attended Augsburg College and graduated from Saint Cloud State University. Steve retired in 2000 after working for Lakes and Pines Community Action Council, ITT Continental Baking Company, Vision Ease Corporation, Jack Frost Gold'n Plump, and Quebecor Printing. In his retirement, he worked with the American Red Cross. During his career, he served as President of the Saint Cloud Human Resources Council and was active in the United Way. Steve was an avid outdoorsman and the highlight of his year was his annual hunting trip with his sons and his brother-in-law, Dennis Anderson. Additionally, Dennis and Steve took an annual hunting excursion to Wyoming that brought many good laughs and memories. Stephen was also an artist and a comedian. On August 24, 1963 Stephen married Sharron Anderson in Cambridge Lutheran Church. Sharron and Steve have 3 sons: Stephen Eric, Matthew Thomas, and Jonathan Dwaine. Stephen is survived by his wife Sharron, son Stephen and wife Amy Sue, son Matthew and Lisa Bentzin, and son Jonathan. He also has four grandchildren: Claire, John, Peter and Joseph; sister Lucille Jensen and family: Larry and Lee Ann, Bradley, Bonnie, Julie, JB and Kara, Pam, Barb, and Cindi. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Helen Anderson, brothers-in-law and families, Dennis and Audrey, Gary and Kerrie, and Christopher and Terri, Michael, Nathan and Tina. Additionally, Stephen would want all to know how special all of his grand-nieces and nephews were to him and are to the family. The family dog, Edgrrr, is also to be noted. Stephen was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Frank.