Arlo O. Erickson

Arlo Oscar Erickson died on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, at the Wellspring Meadows Assisted Living in Hayden, Idaho.  He was surrounded by his family and staff who had become his friends.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 4, at the Yates Funeral Chapel, in Hayden, Idaho.  Memorials in Arlo Erickson’s name can be made to Opportunity Village, in Clear Lake.

Arlo was born Feb. 27, 1930, in Miller, Iowa, to Oscar and Fern Erickson.  Arlo excelled in sports at Garner High School where he was an All-State tackle on the Garner High School football team.  Arlo graduated from Garner High School in 1948.  He earned a football scholarship and played for one year at the University of Iowa.  Arlo transferred to Iowa State University where he completed his degree in Animal Science.  His studies were interrupted by the Korean War where he served in Greenland as a veterinary techinician.

While studying at Iowa State University, he met his wife, Marjorie Anne Nelson.  Arlo and Marjorie worked at the student union at Iowa State University and they were married in 1952.  They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this spring.  Upon graduation from Iowa State University, Arlo served as a salesman for the MoorMan’s Feed Company where he worked for 30 plus years  Arlo had many farmers who were customers and lifelong friends.  Arlo and Marjorie hosted a dinner each year to show their appreciation to his farmer customers.  In addition to selling MoorMan’s Feed, Arlo also raised purebred hogs and steers on his acreage.

While Arlo’s four children were in school, Arlo made a point of going to work early in order to be home at about the time his kids finished with school each day.  Arlo was very involved in the lives of his children, coaching their basketball and softball teams, attending their school activities, helping with their 4-H projects, and working side-by-side with them on their acreage.  As his kids grew older, he would travel long distances to see their college wrestling meets and tournaments.

Arlo served as a member of the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake and he also served on the United Methodist Camp Board.  During one summer, Arlo drove his children and other kids to a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Conference at Oral Roberts University, in Tulsa, Ok. and he served as a parent sponsor at the conference.

After 30 plus years of selling MoorMan’s Livestock Feed, Arlo retired in 1985.  Arlo and Marjorie sold their acreage and moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to be close to many of their grandchildren.  During the last 30 years, Arlo started a real estate sign business, worked for the National Forest Service fighting fires, and served as a volunteer at the hospital in Coeur d’Alene.  Arlo also trained his own team of Belgium workhorses and did some logging with his horses after his 65th birthday.

Arlo is survived by his wife, Marjorie, of Hayden; brother, Dean (Sharon) Erickson, Fremont, Neb.; four children, Dick (Marcy) Erickson, Tonganoxie, Ks., Bob (Colette) Erickson, Hayden; Don (Becky) Erickson, Ames, Iowa, and Dawn (David) Stotlar, Windsor, Colo.  He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.