Donald Erickson, Sr

Former Hastings resident, Donald Murray Erickson, Sr., 85, passed away Friday, September 25, 2015 in Denver, Colorado.

Services will be Friday, October 2, 2015; 10:00 A.M. at Butler Volland Chapel, Hastings with Rev. Dr. Lee R. Wigert officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings. Memorials may be given to Mary Lanning Healthcare Foundation. Visitation will be Thursday, October 1, 2015; 1:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. with family present 6:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. and one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Don was born September 4, 1930, to John and Ruby Erickson in Hebron, Nebraska. Don lived and worked on the family farm in Hebron until enlisting in the Army in 1950 and was stationed in Germany. Before and after his military service Don worked as a horse trainer and traveled America racing Thoroughbred and Quarter horses. Don married Clara Faye Ingles on July 11, 1954. After the birth of their son Don Jr. the couple moved from Hebron, Nebraska to Harvard, Nebraska for a short time, finally settling in Hastings. Don worked in the heating and air conditioning business for about 20 years before accepting a position with Hastings Utilities, where he eventually retired in 1997. He and Clara spent the years camping, fishing, visiting grandchildren and enjoying Husker football. They enjoyed the "Good Life" in Nebraska with Clara until her passing in 2009. Don moved to Highlands Ranch, Colorado in the fall of 2012 to live with Don, Marice, Scott and dog Spike. Much of the time was spent enjoying family dinners, holidays, birthdays, get-togethers', trips, an occasional Hockey game, and watching football - preferably the Huskers. Don spent the remainder of his time enjoying the mild Colorado weather, family, weekly trips to bet on the horse races, senior citizen bus trips to mountain casinos, riding his scooter down to the park to watch little league baseball, horse shows, soccer, and football, and, of course, watching Husker football. Don celebrated his 85th birthday in the hospital last month receiving well wishes from people in the neighborhood he had met and friends that he touched over the years, surrounded by family. Don lived in Hastings for 56 years before moving to Colorado.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife Clara, parents John and Ruby Erickson and siblings Terence, and infant sister Dorothey.

SURVIVORS:
Son & Daughter-in-law:
Donald Jr. & Marice Erickson - Parker, CO
Grandchildren:
Matthew (Sierra) Erickson - Parker, CO
Julianne (Brad) Fosser - Highlands Ranch, CO
Lauren Erickson - Littleton, CO
Scott Erickson - Parker, CO
Great-Grandchildren:
Evelyn Fosser
Logan Erickson