Loyal H. Erickson

LOYAL HARLAN ERICKSON was born to Arnt and Tina (Sundem) Erickson on May 19, 1929 in Jasper, MN. He was raised and attended school in rural Jasper, Minnesota. Throughout his youth, Loyal was active in 4-H and participated in numerous livestock judging and showing competitions locally and regionally including trips to Chicago with his younger brother, Bill. Loyal met his wife, Margaret “Peggy” Huebner, while roller-skating at the Hiawathia Roller Rink in Pipestone, Minnesota. They were married on March 2, 1957 in Pipestone and continued to live and work in Jasper.

One of Loyal’s proudest times was working with his older brother, Robert, building numerous homes and buildings in the Jasper community. He relocated to Beaver Creek, Minnesota then Garretson, South Dakota where they raised their five children and became a fixture at the Sioux Falls Stockyards for the nearly 30 years. He returned to his hometown of Jasper where he worked at Jasper Yards and New Horizon Farms. Loyal was involved in his communities and had a memorable time booking Polka bands for the Beaver Creek Community Center. Loyal enjoyed dancing and polka music as well as his hobbies of woodworking, drawing, and painting.
Loyal was a member of the Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served as Deacon. He also was involved in making “faith boxes” for the church.

Loyal became a resident of Good Samaritians Communites of Pipestone until passing on Monday, February 20th, 2012.

Loyal was very passionate and proud of his five children, 15 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Loyal is lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Peggy; five children, Rhonda Erickson and Barry Nelson of Duluth, Minnesota, Loyal “Brad” and his wife Jodi Erickson of Jasper, Linda and her husband Bryon Hulstein of Pipestone, Wayne and his wife Sherry Erickson of Superior, Wisconsin, Dennis and his wife Michelle Erickson of Valley Springs, South Dakota; brother, Bill and his wife Jeanne Erickson of Houston, Texas; sister-in-law, Diane Spear of Sioux Falls; and additional family. He was preceded in death by granddaughter, Jamie Jandl; son-in-law, Scott Chida; parents, Arnt and Tina Erickson; and brother, Robert Erickson.