Elvin Erickson

Elvin B. Erickson, age 76, of Clearbrook, MN, passed away on Sunday (April 20th) at Merit Care Hospital in Fargo, ND. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday (April 26th) at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Clearbrook with the Rev. Michael Sculley officiating. Interment will be in Sinclair Cemetery, rural Leonard, MN. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Military honors will be provided by the Clearbrook American Legion Post and arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston. Sympathy messages may be sent at www.carlinhoialmen.com. Elvin Bernard Erickson was born on February 7, 1932 in Clearbrook, Minnesota to parents Edwin T. and Anna (Hanson) Erickson. He grew up in Clearbrook and attended rural school at the Birchmont School of rural Clearbrook. Following school, Elvin worked at the Lundmark Garage and auto dealership. Elvin entered the United States Army on September 16, 1952 and was stationed at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma during the Korean War years. While in the service, he met Jewel Sumpter and they were married on September 16, 1954. Following his honorable discharge, they returned to Clearbrook where Elvin resumed his work at Lundmark Garage, later starting his own dealership. In 1968, he began in business producing handcrafted pedal steel guitars. Since 1960, Elvin has played in a band that performed at community centers, nursing homes and other venues throughout the area. In addition to his musical talents, he was also well known for beautifully restoring antique cars. Most of all, Elvin enjoyed time he spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.Elvin passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2008 at Merit Care Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota at the age of 76 years.Survivors include his wife, Jewel of Clearbrook; five children, Elvin J. "Buddy" (Cindy) of Trail, MN, Jimmy (Pam) of Crosby, MN, Ricky (Sue) of Leonard, MN, Kelly (Kathy) of Clearbrook, MN, and Tammy (Gary) Duke of The Colony, TX; 8 grandchildren, Jesse (Dana), Lee (fiance, Amy), Joni (Steve), Derek, Amanda, Justin, Christopher, and Taylor; 3 great grandchildren, Ahaleiciah, Haily, and Savannah; one sister, Elaine Lene of Clearbrook, MN and one brother, Emmeth Erickson of Leonard, MN; and several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parent; brother, Earl; and brother-in-law, Lester Lene.Honorary Pallbearers will be all of Elvin's family and friendsActive Pallbearers will be grandsons, Jesse Erickson, Lee Erickson, Derek Erickson, Justin Erickson, Christopher Baumann, and Steve Weissenfluh.