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Floyd H. Erickson

Floyd H. Erickson

ANN ARBOR, MI – Floyd Harry Erickson, 99, died peacefully in Lansing on September 17, 2021, four months short of his 100th birthday.

Born on January 28, 1922, he grew up in the town of Gwinn in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, to which he felt a strong connection all his life. He was the oldest of Jack and Hulda Erickson’s twelve children. In 1941, he graduated from Gwinn High School, where he was a star athlete, then moved to Detroit to work in the war plants until enlisting in the U.S. Army.

In his boyhood, snow-shoeing and skiing, had been second nature, so he joined the 10th Mountain Division, the Army’s elite ski troops. First came deployment to Alaska’s Aleutian Islands in 1942, then cold-weather training at Camp Hale in the Colorado Rockies. In January 1945, Sgt. Erickson sailed for Italy. As a machine-gunner, he helped to push the German Army out of the Apennine Mountains and across the Po River valley. An exploding artillery shell threw him in the air and cost him part of his hearing for the rest of his life. But he was soon back in the front lines. He always wondered why his life had been spared. His family and friends knew the answer.

During the war, daily letters came to him overseas from Elizabeth Nordeen, his high school sweetheart, who had grown up across the street. When Floyd returned home in August 1945, they married. Their deeply loving relationship lasted until Elizabeth’s death in 2010.

Floyd was a carpenter. He built his own house in Lansing’s Colonial Village neighborhood and worked for many years in the Lansing public schools. He was a superb craftsman.

Outside work, he gave his devotion to his family, his wife and their beloved daughter, Leesa, as well as his extended family based in Gwinn and his church. As a 60-year member of Grace United Methodist Church, he offered a model of Christian commitment and selfless service that inspired generations of friends and associates. His mission work included several trips south to help build houses with Habitat for Humanity. In small ways and large, he lent his time and talents to countless friends in need.

He is survived by his daughter, Leesa Erickson Tobin (James); two granddaughters, Elizabeth Erickson Keller (Jonathon) and Claire Melanie Tobin; and two great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Lucy Keller. He is also survived by six of his siblings: Patricia Stine (Bill) of Gwinn; Diana Norman (Bud), of Rock, MI; Gary Erickson (Kay), of Fruitport, MI; Paul Erickson (Gerrie) of Gwinn; Dennis Erickson (Sandy) of Gwinn; and John Erickson (Susan) of Gwinn; and by hundreds of nieces, nephews and their children.

Floyd’s family invites gifts in his memory to Grace United Methodist Church, 1900 Boston Blvd., Lansing, 48910. A private graveside service will be held for members of the immediate family. A memorial celebration of Floyd’s centennial year will be held in 2022.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)