Willis Dwayne Erickson was born on August 17, 1928, in Maiden Rock, Wisconsin. He was the firstborn child of Paul and Ruth (Nelson) Erickson. Willis grew up in the Lund, Wis., area and was baptized and confirmed from the Lund Mission Covenant Church in Stockholm, Wis.
He attended the number 16 Grade School in Lund, and graduated from Maiden Rock High School in 1946. Upon graduating, Willis enrolled and attended college in River Falls, Wis. It was there where he met Elaine Lanore Severson, who would later become his wife.
After graduating from college Willis took a job teaching high school for four years in Barron, Wis., and on June 22, 1951, he was united in marriage to Elaine Severson in Barron County.
Willis worked for a year as the assistant Agricultural Agent in Barron County before taking the position as Polk County Agriculture Agent, a job that he would keep for 31 years. It was also upon taking the job as Polk County Agricultural Agent that he and Elaine moved to Balsam Lake, the place that they have called home since 1955.
Willis is known by many people through the numerous organizations and groups with whom he was involved. He was a devoted Christian who was very active with the United Covenant Church of Clear Lake, lay minister for many local churches, ministry partner of Prairieview Covenant Church of New Richmond, President of the Polk County Service Unit of the Salvation Army, a member of the Polk County Jail Ministry team, and the Amery Camp of the Gideon's International where he was currently serving as Chaplain.
Willis was the curator of the Polk County Historical Museum, and a member of the Polk County and many local Historical Societies, Unity Community Education Advisory Council, Polk County Housing Collaborative, Polk County Library Association, Past President of the Polk County Fair Society and a Wisconsin County Fair Judge.
He was also Professor of Emeritus of the University of Wisconsin, Polk County Forest Administrator, a consultant for the Rice Lake Parks system, member of the Sportsman's Club and the Luck Chapter of the Danish Brotherhood. Willis worked on the Balsam Lake Beautification Project, as well as donating his talent as a professional landscaper to many churches, government centers, organizations and individuals.
All the groups that Willis has worked with or the people that he has touched in some way are just too numerous to list. He loved his travelling, photography, and spending time with his family. When time allowed, Willis also enjoyed gardening, deer hunting, and collecting antiques.
On Tuesday, July 29, 2003, Willis passed away unexpectedly at the age of 74.
His father, Paul, preceded him in death.
He is going to be deeply missed by his loving wife, Elaine; sons, Bruce and Charles Erickson; daughters, Susan (Bob) Olson, Jane (Dan) Howe and Jill (Jeff) Priest; 11 grandchildren; mother, Ruth; sister, Pauline (Clinton) Stein; and many other loving relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2003, at the United Covenant Church of Clear Lake, with visitation from 4 to 8 p.;m. on Friday at the Williamson Funeral Home in Amery. Rev. Gary Tonn officiated the service and Margaret Peterson, Jan Stein and Paul Stein provided music. Interment was at the Clear Lake Swedish Congregational Cemetery.
(Amery Free Press - Tuesday, August 5, 2003)
