Donald W. Erickson

Donald William Erickson, of Reedsburg, passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at his home at the age of 89.  Don was born in Wisconsin Rapids October 9, 1932, to William (Bill) and Ellen (Larson) Erickson.  

He graduated from Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School in 1950.  While working for the Kroger Company in Beaver Dam, he was drafted into the US Army for the Korean conflict.  While he volunteered to be sent to Korea, his superiors decided to keep him stateside due to his excellent handwritten printing as he maintained personnel records.  During a routine physical, prior to discharge, Don was found to have tuberculosis and spent a year in Army hospitals recovering from his surgery.  After his discharge from the Army, Don returned to Kroger and enrolled at UW-Madison to take advantage of the GI Bill.  Around this time, he met Virginia Lee Paul.  They were married on December 22, 1956.  This union was blessed with three children: Cory, Scott, and Jenifer.  Don and Virginia were married for 63 years.

With stops in Madison, Darlington, and Menominee Falls, Don eventually transferred to Reedsburg in 1966 as the youngest ever Wisconsin Kroger zone manager at that time.  Don and Virginia fell in love with Reedsburg.  Another request to transfer for Kroger after less than one year in Reedsburg was too much.  Don became a car salesman for Matusek Motors for one year until he purchased Holzmiller’s dime store in Reedsburg in 1969.  He and Virginia managed The Dime Store until 1977.  Don then became the first business manager for the Sauk County Health Care Center, later becoming the administrator.  Don retired from the Health Care Center in 1994.  In addition, Don faithfully supported the Reedsburg Country Club as secretary/treasurer from 1977-2007 (30 years!).  Don’s family was continually inspired by his amazing work ethic throughout his life.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Cory (Karen) of Mount Horeb, Scott of Reedsburg, and Jenifer of Reedsburg.  Five grandchildren: Cassie (Peter) Lange of Hillpoint, Kristin (Zhao) Hu of Chicago, Courtney (Johnathan) Wood of Billings, MT, William Erickson of Madison, and Katelyn (Huy) Do of Minneapolis. Eight great grandchildren: Sofie, Easton, Harper, Maya, Magnus, Lana, Lily, and Locke. Don is further survived by sister Hazel Zeman, brother-in-law David (Jeanette) Paul, and sisters-in-law Rebecca (Peter) Wick and Katy Paul.He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his great granddaughter Nora Grace, and his two sisters, Nevis (George) Meech and Doris (Dick) Crotteau.

A funeral service for Donald W. Erickson will be held Tuesday, August 9 at 11 AM at Grasse Funeral Home, formerly Hoof Funeral Home, 312 N. Park Street in Reedsburg with Pastor Beth Voigt officiating.  Visitation will begin at 10 AM prior to the funeral service. The family would like to give special thanks and recognition to SSM Healthcare Hospice at Home for supporting Don and the family over the past few months.  Memorials may be addressed to St. John Lutheran Church of Reedsburg.

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