Robert K. Erickson

FOREST CITY - Robert K. Erickson, age 79 of Forest City, died Monday, March 24, 2008 at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Forest City.



Funeral service will be Friday, March 28th at 11:00 AM at the United Methodist Church in Forest City with Pastor Jerald Swanberg officiating. Burial will be at Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City.



Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Thursday, March 27th at the funeral home and an hour prior to service at the church.



Robert K. Erickson was the youngest of four children born to Martin and Jennie (Nonnweiler) Erickson on April 16, 1928 in Crystal Valley, Iowa. He attended school in the Forest City school district.



On October 14, 1950, Bob was united in marriage to Ione Nesset. To this union six daughters were born. The family made their home in Forest City.



Bob served in the United States Army from 1950 - 1952. During that time he served in the Korean Conflict from 1951-1952, in the ammunition dumps with the 461st Ordinance Ammunition Company in Wanjou at the 38th Parallel.



Bob spent his career working in the field of auto parts. Upon retirement, he drove a school bus for the Forest City School District. He was an avid sports fan and fisherman and cherished the time spent at the family's lake home near Mankato, Minnesota. He was a proud father of his girls and proud grandfather to their children and loved attending their activities.



He was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Forest City American Legion Post and the Leland VFW Post.



Bob was diagnosed with Alzheimers' in 2004. In May of 2007 he made his home at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City. He died there on Monday, March 24, 2008 at the age of 79 years.



Bob is survived by his wife, Ione of Forest City and six daughters and their spouses: Carol Shirk (Randy) of Forest City; Julie Olson (Don) of Thompson; Linda Severson (Larry) of Forest City; Sheila Berger (Bob) of Lake Mills; Jenifer Thayer (Claude) of Emmetsburg; and Amy Faulkner (Rod) of Iowa City. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren: Mason Shirk (Amanda) and Clay Shirk; Joshua and Aaron Olson; Tiffany Young (Seth) and Marcus Severson; Jared, Jennie & Jordynn Finer and Bennett Berger; Brianna Faulkner and a great-grandson soon to join the family and one niece, Kathryn Kirkwood of Pennsylvania.



Bob was preceded in death by his parents, a brother James Erickson, sisters Kathryn Boman and Norma Fraizer and a nephew, Fred Fraizer.



The family suggests memorials be directed to Hospice of North Iowa, The Good Samaritan Care Center, The Alzheimer's Association or the United Methodist Church.