R. Kenneth Erickson, 88, of Esmond, ND, passed away at the St. Aloisius Long Term Care in Harvey, ND on Thursday, August 3, 2017. Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Esmond, ND. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at the Vasa Lutheran Cemetery in rural Esmond, ND. Music will be provided by Paula Duren and Joann Bergrud. Casket Bearers will be Rob Arnold, Rick Olson, Craig Benson, Keith Smith, Darrell Bratvold, Lee Jacobson, Ronnie Smith and John Erickson. Military Honors will be provided by the Theodore A. Togstad American Legion Post #123 of Maddock, the Robert Tovsrud VFW Post #757 of Harlow and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.

Raymond Kenneth (Kenny) Erickson was born on March 24th, 1929, on the family farm in Isabel Township, Benson County, ND to Andrew and Freda (Smith) Erickson. He resided on the farm until he entered the Maddock Memorial Home December 31, 2015. He died on August 3rd, 2017 at St. Aloisius Long Term Care Center in Harvey, ND where he had lived since March, 2017.

Kenny was baptized and confirmed in the Vasa Lutheran Church, rural Esmond. Kenny attended Isabel School through the 8th grade and he later attended a farm management school for veterans. Kenny served with the U.S. Army in Korea from 1952-53 where he climbed light poles to change bulbs, guarded prisoners and drove jeep to transport officers. He drove the Maddock rural school bus route for about 15 years. Kenny farmed in partnership with his brother Milton for more than 60 years. They started farming with their father and later farmed with his nephew, Ron Erickson. After he retired from farming he was a go-fer to help others. He especially enjoyed helping Ron with his farming and being a flagger for Ron's aerial spray business.

Kenny served on many local boards including: Harlow Elevator, Lake Region Transport, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Benson County Farmers Union and the Maddock Farmers Union Oil Co. He was a volunteer weather observer for the North Dakota Resource Board Cooperative Observer Network (ARBCON). For several years, Kenny was a volunteer driver for medical appointments for Maddock area residents.

Kenny was a strong believer in cooperatives. He liked to talk about politics and there was only one political party for him. Kenny was an avid sports fan in the 1980's attending many sporting events, many of which his nieces and nephews were involved and received the Maddock Bobcat Sports Booster of the Year Award. He was a member of the Isabel bowling team most of his adult life. Kenny was a good mechanic and many sought his advice for engine repair. He was quick to use the phone to share what was on his mind, ask a question, give directions and keep in touch with relatives and friends, including relatives in Sweden. He was fluent in the traditional Swedish Dalsk?r language and was very proud of his Swedish heritage. He twice in the 1980's traveled to the area from where his parents immigrated. The Erickson farm is often a gathering place for friends and relatives. Kenny especially enjoyed the time with his many cousins. He also enjoyed hunting, Ford vehicles, Co-op tractors, watching TV, ice cream, dogs, easy listening music, driving and his sister Sylvia's cooking!

Kenny is survived by his brother, Milton (Darlene) Erickson of Esmond, ND, sister Sylvia (Curt) Benson of Laporte, MN; nieces and nephew, Linda Erickson of Rosemount, MN, Cindy (Tom and family) O'Donnell of Farmington, MN, Holly (Rob) Arnold of Minot, ND, Beth (Rick) Olson of Maddock ND, Craig (Karla) Benson of Fargo, ND and Carrie (Cameron) Nichols of Baxter, MN; great nephew and nieces Rochelle Ramsey, Andrew & Annika Arnold, Megan Olson, Audrey, Abbey and Anna Benson and other great-great and great-great-great nephews and nieces.

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Freda Erickson; brother, C. Gunnar Erickson and nephews Dale Erickson and Ron Erickson.