Allen McLeod Erickson

Allen McLeod Erickson died on May 11, 2010, at UW Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. He was born on May 14th, 1933 to Theodore and Alice Stromley Erickson in Grantsburg, Wisconsin ( Burnett County). He graduated from Grantsburg High School, attended UW-River Falls, and transferred to UW-Madison, graduating with a degree in Animal Husbandry from the School of Agriculture. He was in Naval ROTC through college, entered Naval Flight Training at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida, as an Ensign.   He graduated from flight training as Lt (jg), and was transferred to Lakehurst Naval Air Station, New Jersey. While there he led a helicopter detachment aboard the USS Edisto during OPERATION DEEP FREEZE . On the return trip to the United States, they were diverted to Uruguay to fly support for flood relief. After leaving active duty in the Navy as full Lieutenant, he served as a pilot in the Naval Reserve and attended graduate school at UW-Madison.   He flew commercial helicopters and later joined Penta Wood Products, Siren, WI , in sales and marketing. Allen lived on Mudhen Lake in Burnett County where he raised horses, was a long-time member of the Caballeros del Norte, served on its board-of- directors and performed chaplain duties. He was a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Frederic, Wisconsin , Wisconsin Association of Lakes, and was active in the Western Wisconsin Lyme Action Group, and the Forest Lake, MN, Lyme Action & Support Group. He was preceded in death by a brother, Loyal Erickson, his parents and grand -parents. Allen is survived by his son, Charles Allen (Chuck) Erickson and former wife, Jean Taylor Erickson; siblings, Neil Erickson, Karen (Darrell) Swenson, Pearl (Terry) Rader, Dale (Julie) Erickson, Sandra (Donovan) Jottblad and many nieces and nephews. Friends may call at First Congregational Church UCC, (chapel), 1609 University Avenue, (corner of Old University Avenue and Breese Terrace,) Madison, WI on May 18th, 2010, from 4:30-7:00 p.m.   There will be a brief memorial service at 6:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be at Faith Lutheran Church, Grantsburg ( Burnett County), Wisconsin, at 11:00 a. m.   Thursday, May 20th, 2010. The family especially thanks the staff of UW Hospital for their outstanding care and compassion.   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: Alzheimer's & Dementia Alliance, 517 N. Segoe Road, Madison, WI 53705 or The Wisconsin Association of Lakes, 4513 Vernon Blvd., Madison, WI   53705