LYONEL D. ERICKSON

LYONEL ERICKSON

Lyonel Dilwyn Erickson, 81, Hannaford, ND passed away January 27th, 2022 at SMP Health, Valley City, ND.

Lyonel was born to Ernest and Doris (Stokka) Erickson on November 2, 1940.  Lyonel grew up on the family farm in Sverdrup Township.  He attended grade school at the Westley country school and high school in Cooperstown, ND graduating in 1958.  He then attended Mayville State College, Mayville, ND and North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND.

Lyonel began his farming career in 1960.  Upon earning his commercial pilot’s license, he also did aerial crop spraying for Skyways, Cooperstown.  At one time he was also part owner of two planes – an Aeronca and a Cessna 170, which he loved to fly.

Lyonel married Kathleen Grover on July 10, 1971.  They built a farmstead in Broadview Township where Lyonel continued farming until his retirement.  They were blessed with two daughters; Jill and Amy, and two granddaughters Mira and Allison.

Lyonel was an avid reader, especially anything political or historical.  He also had a great interest in the stock market which he faithfully tracked each day.   He loved to fish.  Before his illness he spent days in the summer, fall and winter out on the lakes.  It was his “Happy Place”.

Lyonel served in the National Guard for six years, was a past member of the Civil Air Patrol, served on the Farm Bureau Board, Broadview Township Board, and was a member of Faith Lutheran Church.

He is survived by wife Kathy, daughters Jill (Troy) Haugen, Hannaford; Amy Doyle, Plainfield, IN, and granddaughters Mira and Allison; brother Sheridan (Jan) Erickson, Mesa, AZ; sisters Beth Heinze, Gilbert AZ; and Dawn Erickson, Mesa, AZ; sister-in-law Jackie Erickson, Elkins, AR; brother and sisters-in-law John and Sharon Grover, Hannaford, ND and Bryan and Nancy Wiger, Plainfield, IN and many nieces and nephews.

Lyonel was preceded in death by his parents, and brother Warren Erickson.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Mercantile in Hannaford, ND, Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 5:00 pm.