Donald A. Erickson, age 93, unexpectedly passed away January 29, 2025 at home.

Don was born in Chicago Illinois to Albert and Yrda Erickson. Growing up his favorite activity was competing in speed skating. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1953 and Loyola University in 1962 with degrees in Business Administration and Industrial Relations. Don proudly served in the Army from 1954 to 1956 as a Military Intelligence Specialist. In 1962 he married Janice and they began their life together in Wisconsin.

Don enjoyed a successful career in Human Resources working in the printing, lumber, and manufacturing industries. He implemented one of the first 401(k) plans in Wisconsin and published articles in trade magazines and the Wall Street Journal. He excelled as a labor negotiator. Living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin allowed the opportunity to embrace and develop his life long love for silent sports including sailing, biking, canoeing, skiing, back packing, and hiking. He instilled an appreciation of the outdoors and love of those activities in his family and in others through insightful and often humorous articles in outdoor publications.

Don cherished the time spent with his grandchildren discovering the beauty of nature’s gifts. In retirement, living on Red Cedar Lake in Birchwood, Don pursued his interests in photography, writing, and geological and local history. He volunteered with the Ice Age Trail Alliance and served on the Board of Directors. Currently, he was coordinator of a study group seeking National Heritage Area designation for the Red Cedar Watershed. Don was a caring and thoughtful friend and a loving husband, father, and grandfather who will be remembered for his insightfulness, enthusiasm, youthful energy, and humor. His memory will be treasured and kept alive in the hearts of his adoring family.

He is survived by his wife, Janice; children, Grant and Brita (Scott); grandchildren Mitchell and Bianca; sister Carol; brother-in-law Robert; sister-in-laws Lois and Marilynn along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Dolores, brother-in-laws Nick and Raymond, and sister-in-law Marianne. A visitation will be held at Appleyards Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, WI on Tuesday March 11, 2025 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM. Burial will be at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI. A Celebration of Life is planned for the spring. Memorials may be made to the IATA and Pioneer Village Museum.

Last Update: Feb 13, 2025 1:18 pm CST