Obituary of William Marshall Erickson

William “Bill” Marshall Erickson, 79, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 16^th 2022 in Bloomington, Minnesota after a battle with esophageal cancer. Bill was born July 5^th, 1942 in St. Peter, Minnesota to parents Menfred and Gerda. The Erickson family lived in Kasota, Minnesota for a few years before moving to South Minneapolis. Billy, as he was affectionately referred to by his family, grew up in the Longfellow neighborhood. He attended Longfellow Elementary, Sanford Junior High, and (Miller) Vocational High School.

Bill held various jobs in his younger years including bussing dishes at The Canteen restaurant off of Minnehaha Parkway and Hiawatha Avenue, a gas station attendant at Jim’s Sinclair station off of 36^th and Minnehaha, before starting a career in commercial roofing in 1964 at Bernard Dalsin Roofing Company – located in Bloomington, Minnesota. Bill was very involved in his union, the Roofers Local 96, serving on the Executive Board beginning in 1978 and becoming President in 1984 serving until 1995. Bill retired from BL Dalsin Roofing in 2005, but still remained a union member – receiving his 55 Year Service Award in April of 2021.

With a love of the outdoors he enjoyed many years of fishing and deer hunting before trading those hobbies in for bird watching, yard maintenance, and general tinkering. His favorite tool was duct tape and he was always “fixing” something. He had a never-wavering love for his family and was always ready with a helping hand or listening ear. After his retirement, he made mid-morning stops to the Bloomington Eagles Club during the week on a daily basis for coffee and conversation with his favorite bar tender and other regulars.

Preceded in death by daughter Jody, parents Menfred and Gerda, brothers Donald and Bud (Harriet), sister Elsie (Howard) Ellefson.

He is survived by wife Sue, and children Cory (Cheri) Cichy, Rachel (Brian) Petersen, and Amanda (Justin) Olson as well as his seven grandchildren, Robby, Hunter (Alice), Samara (Mauricio), Tyler (Lauren), Alexis, Molly, Marshall, great-grandchildren Adrianna, and Asa. Bill is also survived by siblings Muriel (Gerald) Olsen, Betty Ocel, as well as many nieces and nephews, and a multitude of great-nieces and nephews.

Thank you to all the staff at Minnesota Oncology, Presbyterian Homes, and AccentCare Fairview Hospice. Special thanks to Brian Rickert, RN and Tishona Robinson, Personal Aide with Intrepid USA Home Healthcare for the care they gave Bill at home, and the friends and family who helped during this difficult time. Your time, patience, and understanding made a world of difference in an impossible situation.

A memorial service will be held at the Cremation Society of Minnesota located at 7110 France Avenue South, Edina, Minnesota 55435 on Friday, April 22, 2022. Visitation at 10:00 am, service at 11:00 am with luncheon to follow.

Dad was always ready and willing to help when needed - in that spirit, in lieu of flowers please send a donation in his honor to a charity of your choosing.