Obit: Erickson, Earl “Shorty” (1922 - 2017)

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

Surnames: Erickson, Jackson, Palms, Braatz, True, Burt, Eisentraut, Rueth, Anderson

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/15/2017

Erickson, Earl “Shorty” (9 February 1922 – 11 February 2017) With Flag

Earl “Shorty” Erickson, 95, passed away March 11, 2017, at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield.

Earl was born Feb. 9, 1922, to Elmer and Olga (Jackson) Erickson at Knapp, WI. His mother died shortly after his birth, and he lived with his Aunt Emma.

Earl moved to Neillsville in his teens and worked for Eisentraut Farm. He hauled milk and worked on farms and the CCC until he joined the Army where he served in Japan and the South Pacific during WWII.

After his discharge, he moved to Racine where he worked for Massey Harris, then for LG Arnold Construction. He moved to Neillsville where he was a logger and farmed. He laid cable for Michael’s Pipeline.

He continued to farm until his retirement. He sold Christmas trees for Eisentraut Tree Farms, and later enjoyed being a campground host at Mead Lake.

He enjoyed traveling, watching draft horse hitches, driving his Puddle Jumper Model A, polka music, and dancing.

He is survived by his wife Wilma (Palms) of 68 years; sons, Eugene (Beatrice) of Bakerville, Ernest (Peggy) of Neillsville, Evan (Susan) of Eau Claire, Erwin “Pete” (Karen) of Neillsville; eight grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; sisters, Doris Braatz of Neillsville, and Mildred True of Clintonville.

He was predeceased by his brothers George, James, and Wallace; his sister Clara, step-brother Philip; daughters-in-law, Bonnie and Luann, and his wife Dorothy Burt.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2017, at the Calvary Lutheran Church, Neillsville, with Pastor Chad Anderson officiating. Music will be provided by Jodi Rueth, organist. Burial will follow in the Town of Grant Cemetery, with military honors performed by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Casket bearers will be Roger Erickson, Arnie Eisentraut, Kevin Erickson, Travis Erickson, Donald Erickson, and James Erickson.

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