Bruce Eldon Ericson 1930 - 2017

ERICSON, HODOWAY, VAA

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/20/2017 at 23:30:00

Sioux City Journal
1 September 2017

Hawarden, Iowa

Bruce Eldon Ericson, 86, of Hawarden, died unexpectedly after surgery Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, at a Sioux City hospital. He would have been 87 on Sept. 21.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hawarden, with the Rev. Sunny Dominic and Rev. Roger Linnan concelebrating. Burial of the cremated remains will be in Grace Hill Cemetery, with military rites. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. today, followed by visitation with the family and a time for refreshments at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Bruce was born on Sept. 21, 1930, in Hawarden, to Eldon and Margaret (Hodoway). He graduated from Hawarden High School in 1949 and earned a degree in business administration from Morningside College. Bruce enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly after the beginning of the Korean War in August 1950. He was stationed at the Naval Air Station in San Diego shortly before deploying on the DD 517, USS Walker to the western coast of Korea. Bruce was honorably discharged from the Navy on June 3, 1954.

Bruce met Joann Vaa on a blind date through a mutual friend. On that very first date he knew he would marry her. They were married at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City on Aug. 11, 1955. They made their home in Sioux City until he finished college and they then moved back to Hawarden, where he worked with his father at Ericson Oil Company. Ericson Oil was started by Bruce's father, Eldon, in 1922. Bruce started working for Ericson Oil Company in 1958 and stayed until his retirement in 2007 after owning the station for 49 years. Bruce's sons then took over the business and Bruce continued to work part-time driving the tank wagon. Ericson Oil, or the station, as it was known, was a fixture in Hawarden at the corner of Highway 10 and Highway 12, which actually was the spot of the first Hawarden Hospital, in which Bruce was born. Bruce could be found with his feet up on the desk with a story to tell. Bruce loved to visit with his customers. The tellers at Farmers State and Peoples Bank drive-through appreciated his candor and surprises he would put in the deposit bag. Bruce was very quick witted and entertained his family with many stories and surprises.

Bruce was a longtime and dedicated member of American Legion Post 254 in Hawarden for 60 years and served on the board of the Sioux County Veterans Affairs. He was on the Hawarden city council from 1972 to 1976 and a former Hawarden fireman. Bruce was also a 48-year member of Bill W. He was a dedicated husband and father and was a lifelong resident of Hawarden.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joann. Over a period of 11 years they were blessed with seven children, Dianne and Joe Degen of Missoula, Mont., Tom and Nancy Ericson of Hawarden, Tim Ericson of Hawarden, Todd and Dawn Ericson of Hawarden, Tracy and Pam Ericson of Hawarden, Jill and Greg Carbajal of Glendive, Mont., and Beth and Rod Yoerger of Hawarden. Joann and Bruce have 19 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Eldon and Margaret; his sister, Yvonne Ericson Reaves; and a granddaughter, Kelsey Tapper.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bruce's name to their favorite charity.