Garner Erickson, 82, of Middle River, MN passed away at noon on Monday, March 8, 2021 at Sanford Medical Center, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Friday, March 12, 2021 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. The funeral to celebrate Garner's life will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Alex Amiot officiating. Burial will follow at Emmanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, Ringbo Community, MN.

Garner Cordell Erickson was born on May 20, 1938 to Oscar and Myrtle (Knutson) Erickson. He was the 9 ^th of 14 children born in this family. He was raised in Ringbo Community and attended the Ringbo Country School and Newfolden School. He left home at 17 years old to join the Merchant Marines, where he served 20 years. In 1973, he left the Merchant Marines after his brother, Galen's death which was the result of a farm accident. He moved back home to help Julie, Galen's wife, raise her four children and one on the way. He raised them as if they were his own.

In 1974, he started working at the Thief Lake Wildlife Refuge, where he worked for 30 years.

In 1990, Garner married Julie Erickson at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Ringbo. They continued to live on the farm in East Valley Township, Marshall County, MN.

Garner enjoyed hunting and was a proud member of GWGLLC. He also enjoyed playing cards, reading Western's and spending time with the kids and grandkids. The grandkids loved playing tag with Grandpa. He also loved animals, especially dogs and cows.

He was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls.

Survivors include his loving wife of 30 years, Julie Erickson; children, Lyndon (Gabi) Erickson, Calera, AL, Kelly (Hans) Gregory, Aneta, ND, Myles (Dawn) Erickson, Thief River Falls, Maria (Greg) Holmvig, Middle River, MN and Galen (Melissa) Erickson, Thief River Falls; several grandchildren & 2 great-grandchildren; sister, June Sipkens, Thief River Falls; brother, Wavell (Sarah) Erickson, Thief River Falls; his hunting family; several other relatives and special friends including Jerry Holmvig, Ed Walseth & Bruce Wold.

He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Irene, Oliver, Marlowe, Blanche, Harold, Delano, Roy, Carmen, Galen, Grace, Donald; and special friends, Don Diepholz, Earl Dyson, Earl Erickson, John Mundt and Charlie Kelly.