Robert Erickson

Robert “Smokey” Erickson, 58, Brooklyn Park , MN , formerly of Breckenridge , MN , died May 26, 2009 at his residence in Brooklyn Park .

His funeral service will be Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 2:00 PM at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home Chapel in Breckenridge, with Pastor Mark Manning officiating.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 30, from 5 PM to 7 PM with a Prayer Service at 7 PM at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery , Breckenridge.

He survived by his son: Jeffrey R. (Jodi) Erickson, Lincoln , NE and their children Myah and Wesley; His mother: Alice Erickson, Alexandria , MN ; His brother: James (Judy) Erickson, St. Joseph, MO; His five sisters: Peggy Hedtke, Plymouth, MN; Judy (Duane) Baumgartner, Duluth, MN; Vickie (Gordon) Thorson, Overland Park, KS; Kathy (Randy) Beeler, Alexandria, MN; Wendy (Russ) Wheeler, Pardeeville, WI; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father: Percy Erickson; and his brother: Mark Erickson.

Robert “Smokey” Erickson was born on July 23, 1950 in Breckenridge , MN to Percy and Alice (Oestreich) Erickson. He grew up in Abercrombie , ND until moving to Breckenridge in 1959. He attended school in Breckenridge and Wahpeton until 1968. In 1970, Bob voluntarily drafted into the U. S. Army and served a year and two months in Vietnam . He was united in marriage to Marlys Meyer on June 27, 1970. Following his Vietnam tour he returned to his family in the Wahpeton area. He began his 39 year roofing career with Krueger Roofing followed by Twin City Roofing. In 1990, he started with John A. Dalsin & Son Roofing out of Minneapolis , where he resided and worked until his death.

Bob was a devoted son, loving father, grandfather, brother and good friend to many. While unable to spend a lot of time with his grandchildren due to distance, Bob was extremely proud of them.

Smokey was a member of the VFW and the Roofers Local 96. He enjoyed playing cards and spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing and trap shooting.