To view a recording of the service, available 2/1 access: http://mtmsales.net/thomas
Heaven gained another cowboy when Ronald Gene Erickson, 69, of Columbus ND, passed away January 25, 2024, at Trinity Hospital in Minot with family by his side.
Ron was born on August 20, 1954, in Crosby, ND, to Ernest and Shirley (Stompro) Erickson. He was raised for his first two years on a farm south of Columbus. The family moved to town in 1956. Ron attended Columbus Public School and graduated in 1972. Ron then attended NDSU for two years. He worked on Andy Moore’s ranch near Blaisdell, ND, for several years until he relocated back to Columbus to work as a dragline operator for Baukol-Noonan Coal Company until it closed in 1983.
He met the love of his life while attending recreational volleyball at Columbus High School on Sunday afternoons. Ron married Anita Beck on May 22, 1982. They made their home on a ranch south of Columbus raising horses, cattle, sheep, sometimes pigs and a few goats and did some farming. They were blessed with three children- Shalene, Lana, and Logan.
In 2006, Ron and Anita moved to Columbus, Ron continued to ranch and farm, attending many brandings and cattle drives, including his own. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Columbus and founding member of the Northern Edge Saddle Club, where he loved to plan and do activities for the youth. Ron’s favorite and often used expression supported his dedication to the club – “It’s for the Kids.”
He enjoyed pinochle, riding horses, attending horse and cattle auctions, studying horse sale catalogs, and spending time with family and friends, especially his grandchildren teaching them to ride and rope. And, oh, how he loved his candy, especially Jujubes from Canada.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest, and his brother, Kevin.
Surviving family includes wife, Anita, who was his loving companion for 41 years, Columbus; daughters Shalene (Kyle) Nygaard, Flaxton, and Lana Erickson, Evansville, IN; son, Logan (Kaitlin) Erickson, Bloomington, IN; grandchildren, Kase, Sienna, Ellieana, Emmett, and EverLee; mother, Shirley Erickson, Minot; brother, Todd (Della) Erickson, Minot; sister-in-law Kathy (Jim) Ellingson, Stanley, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at Faith Lutheran Church, Columbus, ND. To view a recording of the service, available 2/1 access: http://mtmsales.net/thomas
Interment: Bethany Lutheran Cemetery, located south of Columbus, ND
Visitation: There will be a reviewal Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at the Thomas Family Funeral Home in Minot, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service in the church on Wednesday.
Memorials are preferred to the Northern Edge Saddle Club (NESC) in memory of Ronald.
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