Orville Edward Erickson
Orville Edward Erickson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on November 10, 2023, after a courageous battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Orv lived in Douglas, Michigan, formerly in Potterville, Michigan. Orv was born on January 26, 1948, in Fargo, North Dakota, to Elder and Alice Erickson. He grew up on a farm in Kindred, North Dakota, and attended Kindred Public Schools, where he was active in band, German Band, choir, Boy Scouts, school plays, and the National Honor Society.
Orv graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in Economics. He was a proud member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and took great pride in being a Bison. After college, Orv enlisted in the US Army and served in the 82nd Airborne where he earned the Army Accommodation Medal. He was honored to serve his country.
In May of 1973, Orv met his bride, Lynne Bielik, in Saugatuck, Michigan. He proposed on their third date, and they were married six months later on November 24, 1973, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Allegan, Michigan. Orv and Lynne were blessed with three children: Shawn Erickson of Holt, Michigan, Nic (Alejandra) Erickson of Nashville, Tennessee, Ashley Erickson of Holland, Michigan, and one grandson, Alec Erickson.
Orv was very generous with his time giving back to the community. He was a loving Christian man who would help anyone at any time. He served as President of the Potterville/Benton Township Fire Department for 20 years, was Scoutmaster of Potterville Troop 654, a member of the Potterville Lions Club, and worked on numerous community projects. Orv also volunteered for several projects at Potterville Public Schools, serving as one of the “timing crew” at track meets and working with the Odyssey of the Mind Program with Lynne. Orv was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he served and worshipped our Lord for over 40 years. He was a member of the church choir, served on the church council and numerous committees. Orv and Lynne served as a presenting couple for Lutheran Marriage Encounter for decades.
In addition to his involvement in Potterville, Orv worked at the Grand Ledge Food Bank and Blessings in a Backpack.
Orv retired from the State of Michigan, Department of Treasury, where he was a Department Manager.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lynne; their children, Shawn, Nic, Ale and Ashley; and grandson Alec; his brother, James (Judy) Erickson of Fargo, North Dakota; his sister, Janice Blake of Spokane, Washington; brother and sisters-in-law, Joseph and Deb Bielik of Cadillac, Michigan, and Charlie and Kathy Bielik of Fennville, Michigan; plus many nieces and nephews and special friends, Dennis and Jan Martinich, and their children. In addition to his parents, Orv is predeceased by parents-in-law, Joseph and Barbara Bielik; brother-in-law, Rudy Blake; and great niece, Avery Betts.
Friends may meet with the family at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 517 South Clinton, Grand Ledge, Michigan, on Saturday, November 18, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with the Celebration of Life beginning at 11:00 a.m., Pastor Chuck Foerster and retired Pastor Richard McKenzie co-officiating. Military Honors will follow the service. A luncheon will follow. Cremation has taken place and the burial with take place later.
Donations may be made in Orv’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Grand Ledge Food Bank, Cure PSP, or Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grand Ledge.
Our family would like to thank Andrea, Deanna and Julie from Hospice of Holland and our Home Health Caregivers, Brandy and Chelsea, who took such wonderful loving care of Orv during the final days of his journey. They not only took care of him, but our entire family. They are extraordinary women.