Donald Edward Erickson

Donald Edward Erickson, surrounded by his family, peacefully passed away at his home Thursday, April 28, 2016. Don was born September 15, 1929, in Melrose, WI, son of Henry Olaf and Rachel Catherine Erickson. His family moved to Madison where he spent his childhood. He graduated from Madison East High School where he was an outstanding athlete, playing on the football and basketball teams. He graduated from UW-Whitewater where he played football and captained the champion basketball team that went to nationals in 1952. For two seasons he played baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league system. On November 18, 1950, Don married Mildred E. Rand. After college he served in Korea with the Army where he was a recipient of the Purple Heart.In 1954 Don began teaching and coaching at Lake Geneva High School. In 1955 he moved to Beaver Dam to teach social studies and coach basketball and football. He earned a double Masters Degree from UW-Madison. Don taught physical education and later drivers education and became head basketball and golf coach at Oshkosh High School (West) in 1959 where he remained for the rest of his career.Don is a member of the UW-Whitewater and Oshkosh West Halls of Fame. He was the 1970 President of the Wisconsin Coaches Association and was honored three times as Fox River Valley Coach of the Year. Don coached the Oshkosh Giants and mentored baseball players at UW-Oshkosh.Six years after losing his wife to cancer he married Patricia Weber. His remaining years were spent enjoying golfing, family, friends, and neighbors.Don is survived by his wife Pat; his children: Donna (David) Hoffmaster, Windsor, WI and Steven Erickson, Colorado Springs, CO; Pats children: Amy (Brian) Van Ruden, Wind Lake, WI; Scott (Candy) Weber, Oshkosh and Heidi Weber, Milwaukee, WI; 10 grandchildren: Maureen (Jon) Miner, Eric ONeil, Jake (Haley) Erickson, Luke and Zach Erickson, Ashley, Eric, and Stephen Van Ruden, and Aaron (Shari) and Alison Weber.In addition to his wife Mildred, Don was also preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Dorothy Thomson; and a brother, Dennis Erickson. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 7, 2016, and St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 1100 E. Murdock Avenue, Oshkosh, with Rev. Karen Jewell officiating. Interment will be in Lake View Memorial Park, Oshkosh. Visitation will be held at the Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home-Westside from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, May 6, 2016. Memorials may be made to the Donald Erickson Scholarship Fund.The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Aurora Hospice for their compassionate and caring support.

Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home - Westside



100 Lake Pointe Drive
Oshkosh
WI
54904

00:00.0
4:00 pm until 7:00 pm



St Andrews Evangelical Lutheran Church



1100 E Murdock Ave
Oshkosh
WI
54901

00:00.0
10:00 am until 11:00 am



St Andrews Evangelical Lutheran Church



1100 E Murdock Ave
Oshkosh
WI
54901

00:00.0
11:00 AM



Lake View Memorial Park



2786 Algoma Bvld.
Oshkosh
WI
54901