Leland Merle Erickson, son of the late Elmer Albert and Helen (Bressem) Erickson, was born on September 29, 1930, in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. Leland received his early education in Alpha and Petersburg schools before attending and graduating from Jackson High School. Leland then went onto Worthington Junior College for one year. Leland enlisted in the US Navy in March of 1951 and was stationed at the Naval Air Station in Memphis, Tennessee and served during the Korean War until he was honorably discharged in March of 1955. After being honorably discharged, Leland returned to Jackson, Minnesota.

Leland was united in marriage to Marjorie Dahlin on April 15, 1956, in Spafford Township, Jackson County, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with three children, LeAnn, Jack and Mark. Leland worked as a lineman for REA for over 20 years before owning and operating a laundromat and Erickson Truck Sales until he retired.

Leland was a longtime member of Salem Lutheran Church in Jackson along with the American Legion and the VFW Post #130 of Jackson. He was very active with the Jackson Speedway and flagged for many years. He was a member of the Speedway Hall of Fame.

He loved the outdoors and the open road and Marj was right beside him on most of his journeys. Riding motorcycles and snowmobiles became his passion when he wasn't running up and down the road buying, fixing and selling trucks. Later in life he was always on the mower or side by side. He always enjoyed the journey even more than the destination and he did a lot of traveling in his lifetime. Leland always had a smile on his face and a story for almost every occasion. He would love to share stories with everyone. Leland enjoyed time spent with friends, family, especially his grandchildren.

On Friday, November 11th, Leland passed away at the Sanford Jackson Medical Center.

Left to cherish Leland's memory are his wife of 66 years, Marjorie Erickson of Jackson; three children, LeAnn (Bill) Heiam of Houston, Texas, Jack (Colleen) Erickson of Jackson, Mark Erickson of Keystone, SD; 10 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Evonne Lee of Oklahoma City, OK and Betty (Chuck) Kranz of Silver City, Mexico; and many nieces and nephews.

Leland is preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Dick Lee.

Memorials may be made in Leland's name to Tunnels to Towers at t2t.org which is a great organization that provides a new house to families of fallen heroes.

Blessed be the memory of Leland Merle Erickson.

A Celebration of Life Service for Leland Erickson, age 92, of Jackson, will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday November 22nd at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Jackson with Pastor Riley Place officiating. Full Military honors by American Legion and VFW Post #130 of Jackson will follow the service at LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Jackson.

A time of visitation and gathering will be held on Monday November 21st from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Jackson and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.