A Celebration of Life Service to honor the life and legacy of Donna Erickson, age 94, of Jackson, will be held on Saturday, October 19th at 2 PM at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Jackson with Pastor Ted Carnahan officiating. A Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service from 1-2 PM at the church.

Donna Erickson was born on December 31,1929 in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, the daughter of Alton and Sarah Munson. Her dad was in the Air Force resulting in moves to Mankato, Worthington, Omaha, Dallas, and Frederic, WI where Donna graduated from high school. Independent and fearless, Donna embraced each move as an adventure and thrived in her new surroundings.

While attending college in Worthington, she met the love of her life, Eugene (Gene) Erickson. United in marriage on February 14, 1950, Gene and Donna shared an extraordinary love and knew they wanted a large family. Their first home was a small farm in Brewster, MN where their first child Kathy was born. They then moved to the Erickson family farm in Westbrook and added to the family Karen, Kevin, and Kim. Donna loved being a farmer's wife and excelled at raising the kids, gardening, apple picking, raising chickens, candling eggs, canning, cooking, and baking all while being part of the close-knit, boisterous Erickson clan. After leaving the farm in 1959, they moved to Granite Falls where Kelly, the baby of the bunch, was later born. Gene became a Minnesota Highway Patrolman which led to moves to Mountain Iron and Forest Lake. Donna took it all in stride. As long as the family was together, all was well.

In 1967, Donna, Eugene, and their 5 K's (Kathy, Karen, Kevin, Kim, and Kelly) moved to Jackson. Donna was an active volunteer at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Always willing to help, she was a Brownie leader, Cub Scout leader, and treasurer for the school band. With all the kids in school, Donna began working at Poynter's grocery store where she greeted everyone with a smile and was known affectionately as the Candy Lady. She loved managing "The Little Store" for 20 years.

Donna and Gene both retired in 1987 to start the next chapter of their lives. They enjoyed traveling, heading out west on many occasions. Later in life, Donna continued to be up for adventures with the kids including trips to Duluth, California, and Philadelphia, as well as Worthington and Westbrook to revisit family history. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with the family she and Gene created as it grew through the generations.

Donna was a bundle of energy who was passionate about walking many miles every day. It was a real challenge to keep up with her. As a member of the Jackson Golf Club, Donna could play a round in record time. A lover of many sports, especially basketball, football, and tennis, she was competitive and could be heard cheering loudly and passionately. Donna was a skilled croquet player who was still swinging a mallet in her 90's. She was always up for another game of Scrabble, a puzzle, or coloring. An avid reader, Donna was especially intrigued by U.S. history. Her passion for music and movies lives on in the whole family. Witty and fun, she would break out a one-liner when least expected.

A small woman with a huge heart, Donna was a lover and protector of children and animals, especially cats and dogs. Happiest outside, she was delighted by the beauty of flowers, plants, and wildlife. She was a baker extraordinaire who always had delicious goodies for the kids and friends after school.

Calm, cool, and collected, Donna is our hero who always made us feel protected and safe. She was always loving, strong, generous, and selfless. She taught us to be independent, optimistic, believe in ourselves, not to be afraid, and never give up.

Donna Erickson passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at age 94. She will be truly and deeply missed.

Donna is survived by four of her children, Karen (Gary) Miller of Bellevue, NE; Kevin Erickson of Jackson, MN; Kim Grace of Maple Grove, MN; and Kelly (John) Willett of Sioux Falls, SD; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 59 years, Eugene Erickson; daughter, Kathy Shramek; sister, Audrey Teigen; nieces, Kristi Teigen Hoffman, Sandra Stavnes McMullen, Shirley Nelson Quinn; son-in-law, Tim Grace; and sisters-in-law, Vernette (Stavnes) Olson, and Lorraine Nelson.

Blessed be the memory of Donna Erickson.