Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Elden D. Erickson

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Elden D. Erickson, 72, of Ironwood Township passed away at his home on Nov. 6, 2020.

He was born June 7, 1948, in Ironwood, son of Helmer and Dorothy (Kaaria) Erickson. He attended local schools, McKinley, Roosevelt, Luther L. Wright High School, Gogebic Community College and Northern Michigan University in Marquette.

Elden was drafted into the U.S. Army on April 1, 1969, served in Vietnam and was honorably discharged on Jan. 22, 1971, after a sniper shot him and subsequently hit one of the grenades he was carrying, which by the grace of God didn't go off. The bullet traveled through his body embedding itself in his hip, and he carried what he called his souvenir all his life. Although he earned many metals while in the Army, the Purple Heart was his most prized possession.

In his early years, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, hiking, snowshoeing, messing with his tractors, and watching football with friends. Later in life, he settled for riding the backroads and checking out nature and nature's animals, being with his many friends, and meeting new people. Elden's favorite place to be was his cottage on Lake Superior with family and friends.

Many will remember him, smile, raise their glass in a toast and tell "Elden stories."

He was a lifetime member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of American, and Disable American Veterans. He was also a member of the Wounded Warrior Project, American Legion, and the Veterans Memorial Fund.

On Dec. 4, 1980, he married his love, Sharon R. Young, who he referred to as "his Rose."

He was preceded in death by his parents, Helmer and Dorothy Erickson; and a brother, Ronald C. Erickson.

Elden is survived by his wife, Sharon; brother, Bruce Erickson; nieces, Kristin (Randy) Croft, Cindi (Geoff) Geary and Tiffany (Johnny) Stokes, all of Texas; and his favorite cousins, Chris (Dan) Bielinski, Clark Erickson, and Michael (Ruth) Erickson. He is also survived by his special family, Tom (Sue) Coolidge and Tony (Terry) Pottis, who he thought of as his boys. To quote Elden, "Love, not blood, makes and binds a family."

The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Elden's legacy of life. You can leave a condolence or a tribute at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.