Orville F. Erickson 1931 - 2018

THORSENTSEN, ERICKSON, POTTER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/1/2018 at 09:58:36

Sioux City Journal
17 May 2018

Blair Neb., formerly Sioux City

Orville F. Erickson, 86, of Blair, formerly of Sioux City, passed away peacefully at a care facility in Blair on May 15, 2018.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Campbell Aman Funeral Home in Blair. Condolences may be sent online at www.campbellaman.com.

Born on May 24, 1931, to William and Alma (Thorsentsen) Erickson, on a small farm outside of Irene, S.D. The third eldest of nine children, Orville attended schools in the Irene area until he dropped out to help care for his family. He was a jack-of-all-trades. His employment included the Royal United Carnival where he worked as a midway boss. He worked on tug boats on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Later, he was employed by Speedway Motors where he worked both as a truck driver and a mechanic. He retired from there in 1995.

Orville moved to Sioux City, where he met Naoma (Potter) Haines. They were married in Elk Point, S.D. on May 27, 1970 and resided in Sioux City until their move to Yellville, Ark. in 1997. He resided there until moving to Herman, Neb. with his daughter in 2014. Orville was often found out in the yard or in his shop, tinkering around with wood, glass, or metal art.

He is survived by four children, Margie Mathiesen (Dale) of Herman, Debra Ruhland (Robert) of Sioux City, Mickie Babij (Mike) of Newport, Wash., and William Haines of Lead, Ark.; sisters, Pearl Tweedy of Crofton, Neb., Avis Powers of Tooele, Utah, and Emma Erickson of Douglas, Wyo.; one brother, Raymond Erickson of Jefferson, S.D.; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Alma Erickson; three brothers, Royal "Buck" Erickson, Charles Erickson, and Sanford Erickson; one sister, Erma Erickson; and his wife, Naoma Erickson.