James "Jim" Daniel Erickson

James D. "Jim" Erickson, age 87, of Alexandria, died on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Alomere Health.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Alexandria Covenant Church in Alexandria with Rev. Gregg Donnelly presiding. Interment will take place at Lake Florida Cemetery, New London.

The visitation is 5-7 p.m., Monday, April 1, 2024 at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

James Daniel "Jim" Erickson was born on April 21, 1936, to John and Esther (Tangquist) Erickson in Thief River Falls. He grew up in Thief River Falls where he graduated from Lincoln High School in 1954. Jim was united in marriage to Marilyn Taggart on March 18, 1955, at the Evangelical Free Church in Thief River Falls. They were blessed with 3 children, Pamela, Michael, and Patricia. Jim had a variety of careers. After high school he worked for L.B. Hartz Corp in their warehouse and grocery stores. He then became a radio dispatcher for the Minnesota State Highway Patrol both in Thief River Falls and Virginia. Following that he worked as a driver license examiner in Anoka and St. Paul. He then was a sales representative for several different companies in the insurance industry for over 20 years. After Jim and Marilyn moved to Moorhead, then later to Hawick, near New London, he was a sales representative for Palliser Furniture Manufacturer until his retirement. Following retirement, they moved to Alexandria where he lived until his death.

Jim “Big Swede” never shied away from proclaiming his Swedish heritage. He was a former member of the Jaycees, and Kiwanis where he served as president. He was an official referee of high school football, basketball, and baseball. Jim's hobbies included following sports, golfing, the outdoors, and antiques and collectables. Fun times spent with family and friends were very special to him. Jim was an active member of Alexandria Covenant Church. He embodied his faith through his daily life and walk with Jesus Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Mendell Erickson; three sisters, Edla Holmberg, Pauline Ptacek and Genevieve Bowman; grandson, Benjamin Erickson; great-grandson, Isaiah Nixon; and son-in-law, Robert Wilke.

Jim is survived by his wife of 69 years, Marilyn; son, Michael (Connie) Erickson of New London; two daughters, Pamela Wilke of Watertown, Wisconsin and Patricia (Larry) Peterson of Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada; brother, Charles Erickson of Alexandria; seven grandchildren, Jamie (Christopher) Fischer, Kelly Dunlap, Emily (Alan) Detjen, Christopher (Sara) Erickson, Daniel (Tammy) Peterson, Jordan (Leah) Peterson, and Joel (Ruth-Ann) Peterson; 11 great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.