Kenneth "Kenny" L. Erickson

Kenneth “Kenny” L. Erickson, 72, of Aberdeen, passed away Sunday, December 1, 2019, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen.

Mass of Christian burial will be 1:30 p.m., Monday, December 9, 2019, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 409 2nd Avenue NE, Aberdeen, with Father Andy Thuringer, Celebrant.

Burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 3-5 p.m., Sunday, at the mortuary, with a liturgical wake service beginning at 5:00 p.m. and Masonic Rites following.  Visitation continues one hour prior to Mass at the church on Monday.

Family and friends may sign Kenny’s online guestbook and also view his service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Kenny was born September 30th, 1947 to Glen A. and Elaine A. (Schaefer) Erickson in Valley City, North Dakota. The family later moved to Mansfield, South Dakota in 1958. Kenny attended Sunshine Country School and then went on to Warner High School. 

Kenny was united in marriage to Colleen Benfit on August 1st, 1970 and to this union two children were born, Heidi Lynn and Kory Lee.  Kenny started working at Parcel-Erickson Texaco in 1967 and in 1974 became a partner in the business. During his time, he earned many awards from the Texaco Corporation. He retired from the gas station in 1995 and started his own business, Ken’s Auto Repair, in 1996 and had this business until the time of his death. In the last few years you could find Kenny there most likely playing cards more than fixing cars. 

With the love of cars, Kenny began racing at the Brown County Racetrack in 1970. He won many trophies during his time with his Number 1 Fan, Heidi, in the bleachers. Kenny retired from racing in 1976. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, no matter the time of year. Fishing was his passion and he could be found in a watering hole about every weekend. He was the President of Pheasants Forever from 1995 to 1997 and again from 2001 to 2014. He spent many years guiding hunters during pheasant season at a family friend’s farm. 

Kenny became a member of the Masonic Lodge (Sunrise 211) in May 2001 and became a Shriner in June 2001. Kenny was proud to be a Shriner, where he was the Circus Chairman for roughly 20 years. He passed this love of the Shriners to Kory (son) and Ben (son-in-law). You could find them all at almost every Shrine event. The last two years you could find Kenny at every home game for the Aberdeen Wings, helping Heidi (daughter) at the concession stand. He always made sure everyone’s popcorn needs were met.  Kenny was very proud and loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was known for being an hour early before any school concert, just to make sure we had a direct line to see Jenna and Nathan. Kenny was not a dancer but when Kinsley said “Dance Papa” he danced. 

Kenny is survived by his wife, Colleen, daughter, Heidi (Benjamin) Johnson, son, Kory (Melanie) Erickson, and grandchildren, Jenna Johnson, Nathan Johnson and Kinsley Erickson, all of Aberdeen; sisters, Cindy Grohs of Scotland, SD and Susan Ell of Hopkins, MN; as well as several nieces and nephews. 

Kenny is preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Elaine Erickson; his in-laws, Clarence and Juliana Benfit; his maternal and paternal grandparents; and his four-legged companions, “Bailey” and “Tank”. 

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