In loving memory of

Douglas Daniel Erickson
July 10, 1951 - July 14, 2010

DOUGLAS DANIEL ERICKSON MUSCATINE, Iowa - Douglas Daniel Erickson, 59, of Muscatine, died July 13, 2010, at his home. Memorial Service will be 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 8, 2010, at the Friends of the Old Barn, located off Houser Street at the end of Harmony Lane. Reverend Kenneth Kline will officiate. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack and Phyllis Thorpe Sr., Barry Thorpe, Jack Thorpe, Nancy Berta, and John Haskins. A time of food and fellowship will follow the service. Burial took place at the Graceland Cemetery, Albert Lea, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 8, 2010, at the Barn. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to the family in care of Sheila Erickson. Douglas was born on July 10, 1951, in Fairmont, Minnesota, the son of Daniel Porter and E. Lorraine Melvin Erickson. Douglas was baptized in the Lutheran faith and became an alter boy at the Salem Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Douglas worked hard in school and received his Associates of Arts Degree, making the deans list, and at the age of 56, he received his Bachelors of Liberal Studies, making the deans and president's lists. He worked hard at Christy's and then Holiday Inn in Albert Lea, Minnesota. He married Pauline Anderson and they later divorced. They had two children together, Jennifer and Wade. He moved to the Quad Cities area and worked at John Deere and International Harvester. He went to technical college for air conditioning and heating. He then worked at Thermo King and then Ruan where he worked for 11 years. He met Sheila Thorpe in 1979, and they were married on March 21, 1998, in Muscatine. In the 31 years they have been together they have enjoyed parties, fishing, concerts, gardening and the love of antiquing. This hobby allowed them to own and operate Koosli Antiques. His most loved activities included reading and writing to his parents and family. A favorite project up until his illness was helping to establish The Friends of the Old Barn, where he took interviews, did hours of research at the library, and volunteering at the Open Barn Events. He will be missed by all that knew him. Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Sheila Erickson of Muscatine; his daughter, Jennifer Lynn Habana and husband, Thomas, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, and their children, Tyler Thomas Habana, Noah Erick Habana, and Jordan Andria Habana; his son, Wade Kevin Erickson of Albert Lea, Minnesota, and his children, Alyssa Lynn Erickson and Sara Alexis Erickson; his parents, Daniel Porter and E. Lorraine Melvin Erickson of Albert Lea, Minnesota; one brother, Terry Lynn Erickson of Albert Lea, Minnesota; two sisters, Karen Renae Erickson and companion, Russell Shaunce, of Glenville, Minnesota, and their daughter, Lori Marie Shaunce, and Kathy Jo Register and husband, David Keith, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, and their children, Tara Jo Register and her partner, Michael Johanson, and Tiffany Grace Register and her partner, Tyler Larsen, and their children, Taylor Kaye Larsen and Miya Grace Larsen. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Basil and Esther Parr Melvin and Iver and Mabel Erickson.

Tributes

Gail & Steve Lee wrote on Jul 18, 2010:

"Sheila, We were saddened to hear about Doug's passing, he was a good man with a big heart. We know that he fought a hard battle over the last several years and he is no longer in pain. Although the grieving part is hard your wonderful memories of him will last forever. Our condolences to you and families. Gail & Steve Lee"

larry adams wrote on Jul 16, 2010:

"GOD BLESS DOUG and MY CONDOLENCES TO SHELIA AND FAMILY ON THEIR LOSS"

Jan Ransom wrote on Jul 16, 2010:

"My deepest sympathy to the entire family."

Julie Stauffer wrote on Jul 15, 2010:

"Sheila: I am sorry for your loss. Just remember to keep your grief light hearted, and as time goes by, the sorrow will fade, and then you will have wonderful memories of him. Take care and God bless."

Tara Register wrote on Jul 15, 2010:

"I am Dougs niece. Its hard to believe he has passed but i know i have a angel watching over all of us. I have so many memories of all of the trips to there and them coming up for the holidays. Uncle Doug i love you so much But my memories will be with me forever."

Jim Snyder wrote on Jul 14, 2010:

"Sheila- my heart goes out to you. Really loved Doug- and I really enjoyed working with him at Ruan. Wont forget the last time i saw him- thats the way I'm glad to remember him. Prayers and thoughts are with you and family."