Obit: Erickson, Wallace Elmer #2 (1929 - 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Erickson, Wilm, Lueck, Holub, Damon, Bergman, Sebesta, Opelt, Spencer, Brophy, True, Braatz, Nemitz, Biebert

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/18/2016

Erickson, Wallace Elmer (30 August 1929 - 12 May 2016)

Wally Erickson, 86, of Neillsville died Thursday, May 12, 2016, at the Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Wallace Elmer Erickson was born Aug. 30, 1929 in Knapp, the son of Elmer and Frances (Wilm) Erickson. He moved to Neillsville at the age of nine. He graduated from Granton High School in 1949. He coached the freshman basketball team as a junior and senior. He was baptized and confirmed in March 1951.

Wally purchased a milk route in 1950, which he operated until 1956. He was united in marriage to Norma Lueck April 7, 1951. He purchased a farm in 1951 and the home farm in 1960. He continued farming until 2002.

He served as director of the Neillsville Co-op Transport and director and president of the Neillsville Farmer’s Union Co-op. He and his wife built Strike Time Lanes in Neillsville in 1983 and operated it until April of 1995.

He enjoyed football, basketball and all the other sports and traveled in all the states.

Wally is survived by a son, Roger (June) Erickson of Neillsville; a daughter, Cheryl (Terry) Holub of Neillsville; three grandchildren: Travis (Jodi) Erickson, Tony (Beth) Erickson and Tyler (Amanda) Erickson; three Step-grandchildren, Edward (Carrie) Holub, Katie Damon and Sarah (Mike) Bergman; five great-grandchildren: Kyle Erickson, Brielle Erickson, Ella Erickson, Alle Erickson and Brock Erickson; nine step-great-grandchildren: Hudzon Sebesta-Opelt, Kimberly Holub, Stephanie Holub, Ashley Holub, Zackery Holub, Terry James Holub, Jaxson Bergman, Willow Bergman and Jordan Spencer; and one great-great-grandson, Zayden Brophy. He is also survived by one sister, Mildred True of Clintonville; one brother, Earl (Wilma) Erickson of Neillsville; one half-sister, Doris Braatz of Neillsville; along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma; his parents; one brother; two half-brothers and one half-sister.

Funeral services for Wally were held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastor Timothy Biebert officiated. Music was provided by Sharon Nemitz, organist, and the St. John’s Children’s Choir. Visitation was from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the Gesche Funeral Home and from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Interment for both Wally and Norma will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery at 11 a.m. Satruday, May 21, 2016.

Memorials may be given to Wally’s family for designation at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Wally’s family with funeral arrangements.