Lawrence “Larry” Erickson

Obituary

Lawrence “Larry” “Sonny” Enoch Erickson Jr. was born in Sisseton, South Dakota on January 31, 1932, to Lawrence (Luke) and Marie (Moshier) Erickson. He had one brother and two sisters. He was baptized at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Sisseton on February 21, 1932. In July, 1933, he contracted polio so the family moved to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1935, and later to Minneapolis, Minnesota where Larry attended the Dowling School for the Crippled before he had an operation on his leg. At a young age, he made a "walkie talkie" to talk with his brother, Gene that would reach long distances. The family returned to Sisseton in 1946 when his father purchased the Moshier Truck Line from his in-laws. The truck line was then renamed the "Silver Express." Larry and his brother both worked for the truck line starting in high school. Larry graduated from Sisseton High School in 1950.

Larry married Genevieve Marie Steiner on June 18, 1951 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eden, South Dakota. In 1954 they moved to Richfield, Minnesota where Larry joined the Teamsters Union. He and his wife had six children. He drove for Coast to Coast traveling throughout the Midwest. He also drove truck for Hardware Hank and Ben Franklin Hardware Stores. He then moved his family to Hutchinson in 1968 where he resided the rest of his life. He took his family on many road trips all over the United States. His first wife, Genny, died September 15, 1989 after a battle with lung cancer.

Larry was then married to Lynda (Steinbeisser) Bollingmo on May 23, 1993. He became a stepfather to her five children. He retired from trucking in July 1993 at the age of 61.  Larry and Lynda spent his retirement traveling back to South Dakota for family events, trying their luck at the casino, and spending time with their grandchildren. Larry enjoyed collecting trucks, and fixing everything around the house. His favorite expression was to tell his children "No Ya Butts" when they'd try to get out of something they didn't want to do. He worked on cars and it would take him years before he'd buy something new. Larry enjoyed going to the health club every morning, and will be missed by his health club friends, as well as his McCormick’s and Hardees coffee buddies. He was a hard-working man who provided well for his very large family. He was a great story teller with a good sense of humor and a winning smile.  

Larry died peacefully on June 15, 2018 at Harmony River in Hutchinson where he had resided for the past year due to his battle with Alzheimer's Disease. He will be missed by many. Blessed be his memory.

He is survived by his:
Wife, Lynda, with whom he celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary shortly before his death;
Six Children: Michael Erickson of Mountain Center, CA,
                         Kathy Blake of Hutchinson, MN,
                         Diane Cash of Crosby, MN,
                         Dan Erickson (Karaty Sonsak) of Prior Lake, MN,
                         Patty (Pat) Atkins of New Prague, MN,
                         Ann (Bruce) Pratt of Warragul, Australia;
Five Stepchildren: Robert (Sarah) Bollingmo of Hutchinson, MN,
                                  Denise Elling of St. Cloud, MN,
                                  Brandon (Robin) Bollingmo of Buffalo,MN,
                                  Billie Vallacher of Hutchinson, MN,
                                  Andrea (Travis Paehlke) Bollingmo of Hutchinson, MN;
23 Grandchildren, 14 Great-Grandchildren;
Sisters, Carol (Stan) Schade of Sisseton, SD, and Joy (Gene) Hrncir of Watertown, SD;
Sister-In-Law, Karen Steiner of Eden,SD;
Brother-In-Law, Willis Steiner of St. Paul, MN;
In-Laws: Robert (Cynthia) Steinbeisser, Alan (Nancy) Steinbeisser, Jim (Kathy) Steinbeisser, Grace Johnson (Don), Richard (Kathy) Steinbeisser, Kathy (Tubby) Herman, Father Joe Steinbeisser, Andy (Tammy) Steinbeisser, Ruth (Mark) Schulte;  
Many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Larry was preceded in death by his Parents, Luke and Marie Erickson, Stepfather, Nick Hollen, his first Wife, Genny Erickson, and Brother, Gene Erickson.