Erickson, Merlan B 1926 - 1947

ERICKSON, HJELMELAND, ROHER, BARTH

Posted By: Norman Hjelmeland (email)
Date: 9/4/2012 at 17:13:27

Merlan Bernell Erickson, 20, was killed about 11:30 p.m. January 16 when his car skidded on the ice, overturned and pinned him underneath, three miles north of Decorah on the Locust road.

Erickson was found by Galin Ruffridge and Herbert Bergsrud, both of Decorah. The two men could not lift the car from Erickson, so they went to nearby Jastad farm to obtain help. When Erickson was removed from the wreck, it was thought he was still alive. He was brought to the Decorah hospital but was dead upon arrival, & examination showing a broken neck and skull fracture.

Military funeral services were conducted January 20, at 1:30 at Winneshiek funeral home & at 2:00 at Decorah Lutheran church. Pallbearers were Roger Rude, Bernell Dehning, Kenneth Hanson, Palmer Anderson, Leslie Anderson and Leroy Klatzbach.

The Rev. M.A. Egge officiated and burial was in the Springwater cemetery. Those from a distance attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Erickson, Wilsonburg, W. Virginia, and Hubert Erickson, Cedar Rapids, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Larson, Monona, and Irvin Rude, Cedar Rapids.

Merlan Bernell Erickson was born June 12, 1926, in Canoe township. He was the son of Marie and Oscar Erickson. His mother preceded him in death.

Erickson was educated in Canoe township. Beside his father, he is survived by the following brothers and sisters; Chester, Harold and Arthur, Decorah; Wallace, West Virginia; Edith (Mrs. Bob Hjelmeland), Decorah; Leona (Mrs. Milo Roher) and Vivian (Mrs. Grant Barth), of near Locust.

Erickson enlisted in the U.S. Army October 26, 1944. He served overseas in the south Pacific about 18 months. He received 5 battle stars, the good conduct medal, victory ribbon, Asiatic Pacific ribbon, Phillipine Liberation ribbon and the Combat Infantrymen's Badge.

Erickson was wounded in action. He was discharged November 23, 1946.

His brothers, Chester, Wallace, and Arthur and his brother in law, Milo Roher, also were in the service.

Merlan Erickson farmed with his sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Barth since his return from the service. He was a member of the V.F.W.

Source: Decorah Newspaper, January, 1947

Springwater Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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