Paul Conrad Erickson, 45, Thief River Falls, passed away on Saturday, January 1, 2011 at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Paul was diagnosed with systemic-diffuse scleroderma in December, 2004, and passed away from complications of double pneumonia, ARDS and scleroderma with his loving family at his side.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, January 6, 2011, at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, with Reverend Ale Tulu officiating. Burial will be at the Holt Cemetery, Holt, Minnesota.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 5, at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, Minnesota with a 7:00 P.M. prayer service on Wednesday evening. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Paul, the third child of Virgil and Cathy (Oxford) Erickson of rural Middle River, Minnesota, was born on September 3, 1965, in Thief River Falls, and grew up on a farm in East Valley Township, Marshall County, Minnesota.

He was baptized at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls on March 14, 1966 and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Middle River. After graduating from Marshall County High School in Newfolden in 1984, he began farming with his dad, Virgil, as a 4th generation Erickson farmer on soil homesteaded by his great-grandfather, Hendrick Erickson. During his high school years he worked a couple of summers with Lindemoen Custom Harvesters of Newfolden. Paul's heart and soul was in being a good farmer. He loved the land. He was co-owner of Hartz Truck Line of Thief River Falls, and later became shop manager of Falls Truck Repair. He sold his share in the business because of health reasons.

Paul was united in marriage to Coreen Annette Larson on April 5, 1986 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. They lived on a farm in East Valley Township, Marshall County. They later purchased and moved to the Skomedahl Farm in Excel Township and after an auction sale in 2009 they moved to their present location in North Township, Pennington County. Paul and Corie were blessed with four beautiful children: Justine, Lorie, David and McKayla.


Growing up in a 4-H family, Paul and Corie were both active as 4-H leaders and supported their children at the local and state level. Paul enjoyed watching his children grow up and attended many school sporting events and skating shows. Paul was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he enjoyed singing in the adult choir and meeting on Friday mornings for the men's prayer breakfast.


He was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed trips to Wyoming to antelope hunt with his dad, brothers, and family members. He was fortunate to shoot a deer during the 2010 November hunt. He and Corie enjoyed a few motorcycle trips together and they also loved camping with the family.


Paul is survived by his wife Coreen Annette Erickson of 24 years; four children, Justine Danielle Erickson of Moorhead, Minnesota; Lorie Ann Erickson (fiancé, Mike Anderson) of Moorhead; David Paul Erickson and McKayla Coreen Erickson, both at home in Thief River Falls; his parents, Virgil and Cathy Erickson, Middle River; brothers and sisters: Sheila (Russ) Holtan, Warroad; Timothy (Terri) Erickson, Cabot, Arkansas; Patrick (Tami) Erickson, Bemidji; Mary Jo Sturman, Grand Forks, North Dakota; Andy (Shawna) Erickson, Garfield, Minnesota; mother-in-law, Gloria Larson, Thief River Falls; nieces and nephews: Katrina (Larry) Tollefson, Fargo, North Dakota; Kassi Srnsky, Thief River Falls; Danny (late Kelsey Holtan) Piche', Alexandria; Tyler and Travis Erickson, Cabot, Arkansas; Hailey, Sara and Zachary Erickson, Bemidji; Allison, Jesse and Billy Sturman, Grand Forks; and Madyson and Sydney Erickson of Garfield, Minnesota; great nieces and nephews: Brooke and Brody Tollefson; Maysie and Keenan Srnsky; and Brock, Lexi, and Bryce Piche'.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Enneas and Olga Erickson of Holt; Verlin and Mary Oxford of Detroit Lakes; niece, Kelsey Lynn Holtan-Piche of Alexandria; and father-in-law, Lester Virgil Larson, Thief River Falls.