Dale Ellsworth Erickson was born August 26, 1942 in Willmar, MN, the son of Alton and Florence Erickson.  He passed away on Thursday April 2nd, 2026.

On June 1st 1968 he was united in marriage to Karen Ruth Jungeat St. John's Lutheran church in Mapleton, MN.

He grew up in Minnesota, California, and Wisconsin.

He was baptized at Tripolis Lutheran Church in Kandiyohi, MN and confirmed in Glenwood City, WI.

He attended grade school in a one room school house near Willmar.  One other student was in his first grade class.  He told us they would go sledding in the winter in a pasture that had a high down slope.  He also attended school in California and Wisconsin.  He graduated from Willmar High School in 1960.

He worked at Central Dairy in Willmar making ice cream, the US Air Force ground refueling air craft (1962-66), Control Data which became Seagate Technology retiring as a project manager after 40 years.

Dale enjoyed traveling the US with Karen, gardening, reading, raising his son, sports (especially hockey which he and Chad had season tickets to the Minnesota Wild), golfing, and doing stain glass projects.

Dale loved his grandchildren. The time he would spend babysitting while their parents worked, the Saturday afternoons as they grew from toddlers to present, playing games and having Saturday dinners with them, going to their school events, watching them graduate from high school and now finishing their higher educations.

Dale is survived by his loving wife, Karen, his son (Chad), daughter in-law (Mollie), grandchildren (Sydni and Garrett), and sister Cathy Schueler.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law.

The family appreciates the care that Dale received while being a resident of BeeHive Homes of Lakeville and from Grace Hospice Care.

Funeral Service 11AM Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at Prince of Peace Church, 13801 Fairview Dr.  Burnsville, MN.  Visitation one hour prior to service. Interment, Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Wednesday, April 8; 1:00pm