Paul Rudolph Erickson

Paul Rudolph Erickson, 95, of Two Harbors died Tuesday, March 12, 2024 following a brief decline. 

Paul Beverly Olson was born in Two Harbors, MN on January 6, 1929 to Einar B. and Hildur Olson.  Erick Rudolph Erickson and Hilma Swardstrom Erickson adopted Paul in 1930.  He graduated from THHS in 1947 and worked for the DM&IR Railroad as a brakeman.  He served in the Army from January 1949 until September of 1952 and served in the motor pool in Panama and Stuttgart, Germany.  In 1953 Paul met Irene Reckow, a young schoolteacher, at a Two Harbors community dance and they married that June.  They lived at his grandfather’s farm in rural Two Harbors for four years with their children Sharon, Linda, Diane, and David.  During those days, Paul worked as a postman, a railroad brakeman, and gas station attendant.

In 1959, they bought the family home on 10^th Avenue and had happy, active lives with church, square-dancing, golf, bowling, world traveling, snowbirding in Arizona, card playing, and being loving elders to their 12 grandkids, 22 great-grandkids, and 5 step-grandkids.  Paul was a dedicated baby cuddler and a quiet, respected man of faith.  His sweet, considerate personality is unsurpassed.

Paul served his country in uniform and retired from the Air National Guard as a Master Sergeant.  He was also a national championship bowler on the ANG team.  His work history as a county employee included snowplowing, maintenance, and leading the county sign/paint department.  Paul organized to start a union for county employees and was their first president.  He also served his community for 20 years on the Community Health Board of Directors and Emmanuel Lutheran Church council and choir.

Paul leaves behind a loyal family who have admired his gentle life for decades; Sharon Erickson (Milt) Ropes, Linda Erickson (Doug) Rampona, Diane Erickson (Brad) MacFarlane, and Dave (Annette) Erickson, and a “fourth sister” Patty Trafford Jacobson and their families.  He leaves a big hole in the lives of his sister, Kay McGivern, his brother, Dean (Pam) Croft, his sister, Nancy Olson Carl and many extended loved ones.