Paul Wayne Erickson

To watch a recording of the service, please use the link: https://youtu.be/eV9fccrWdaw 

Paul Wayne Erickson was born to Ralph and Esther (Haaseth) Erickson on June 30th, 1940, in Warren, Minnesota.  He passed away on February 22nd, 2024 surrounded by his daughter, grandson and friends.  He grew up on the family farm outside of Alvarado, Minnesota.  He graduated high school in 1958 and immediately left for Naval training in Great Lakes, Illinois.  

Paul always had a sense of adventure which began with his Navy travels.  He sailed aboard the USS Benham (DD-796), USS Willis A. Lee (DD-929) and the USS Independence (CVA-62). He was stationed in many places including Naval Station Newport (Newport, RI), Charlestown Naval Shipyard (Boston, MA) and Naval Station Norfolk (Norfolk, VA). He loved the experiences that brought him all over the world to different ports via these three ships.  

Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned to the family farm until he married Sandra Cameron in 1965.  Shortly thereafter, they moved to Grand Forks where he worked at the City Water Department before joining the Grand Forks Fire Department.  

His only daughter, Kristen, was born on November 13, 1970.  The following spring they moved to their homestead outside of Grand Forks where he continued his firefighting career at the Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB).  In 1988, he transferred to the Fire Inspection team and was temporarily promoted to Assistant Chief before retiring in 1999.

During retirement, Paul was never one to sit still.  He kept himself busy driving for Cenex, operating a landscaping business, and always working on various projects.  His love for farming and the outdoors were engrained in his soul. This was reflected in the yard that he and Sandi took great pride in, and his various endeavors and interests.  Paul was a collector of many things including lawnmowers, tillers, and tractors, all to Sandi’s dismay.  Paul had an inventive mind and was always creating a better way of doing almost anything.  He called himself a “jack of all trades, but master of none”, however, there wasn’t much he couldn’t accomplish.  He very much loved taking motorcycle trips through Minnesota, South Dakota, and Montana with friends viewing the country.  

Throughout his career Paul maintained many lifelong friendships.  He loved to entertain by hosting parties and bonfires.  Paul called his homestead his ‘Happy Place’ which was always a central gathering point where neighbors and friends would frequently stop by to visit.  His door was always open as he always liked to tell a good story. He was a great conversationalist. His friendships with families throughout the neighborhood created very deeply rooted bonds amongst all.

Paul is survived by his daughter Kristen (Vik), son in-law Brent, grandson Alec, his beloved dogs Maggie and Molly, and his sister, Grace.  He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Marilyn, brother Roy, and his wife Sandi.