Howard Erickson, 89

Published 12:00 am Monday, August 17, 2009

Funeral services for Howard Albert Erickson of Albert Lea will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Grace Lutheran Church of Albert Lea. The Rev. Todd Walsh will officiate. Visitation will be Monday from 4 until 7 p.m. at Bonnerup Funeral Service and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by Albert Lea area veterans groups.
Howard died Friday afternoon at Thorne Crest Retirement Community in Albert Lea. He was 89 years of age.
Howard was born July 23, 1923, in Manchester Township, the son of Albert and Emma (Wangen) Erickson. He graduated from Freeborn High School in 1939. Howard served his country during World War ll assigned to the 140th United States Navy construction Battalion (Navy Seabees) and construction detachment 1153 stationed in the Admiralty Islands. He was honorably discharged June 28, 1946.
Howard was then employed by Sorensen Brothers Inc., involved in numerous road construction and other various earth construction projects in the Upper Midwest until his retirement.
Howard was united in marriage to Irene Kutnink at Zion Lutheran Church in Fairmont, on June 26, 1954. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW and the Grace Lutheran Church.
Howard enjoyed gardening, woodworking, building bird houses and was an avid reader of outdoors magazines and the daily newspapers. A favorite past time was visiting with all of his fellow heavy equipment operators.
Howard is survived by his wife, Irene, of Albert Lea; son, Jeff Erickson, and his wife Cheri of Albert Lea; son, Art Kutnink, and his wife Dianne of Winneconne, Wis.
Grandchildren include: Chris Kutnink Richards and her husband Dave and their children, Theresa and Charlie of Oshkosh, Wis., Kevin Kutnink and his children Sidney and Lesley of Portland, Ore., and Oshkosh, Wis., Andy Kutnink and his wife Tracy and their children Dane and Norah of Winneconne, Wis.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Joyce (Vernon) Olson, Lola Erickson, Lil Erickson, Lavera Clayes, Elmer and Judy Kutnink, Mildred and Pete Werling, Violet Lueth and Jeannie Kutnink. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents: Albert and Emma Erickson; sister, Evelyn Bakken; and brothers: Walter and Conrad Erickson.