Kenneth Erickson, 83, of Griswold died Monday, December 22, 2008, at Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital in Council Bluffs.

R. Kenneth Erickson was born at Essex, IA, on April 24, 1925, the son of Edwin and Elizabeth (Pearson) Erickson. He attended schools at Essex and graduated from there. Following graduation he worked on the family farm. On February 24, 1946, he married Gloria Fae Robinson at the Central Church of Christ in Griswold. Kenny went to work for the Ford dealer and then in 1948, started working for the Hokenstad and Wilson International Harvester dealership, first as parts man and then in sales. Eventually Kenny became manager and co-owner and finally retired when the dealership closed in Griswold. Kenny was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church and former board member and the Nishna Valley Recreation Area and had served several years on the Griswold Community School Board of Education. He also served on the Griswold Fire Department for several years and is currently a member of the Iowa Firemans Association.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Gloria of Griswold; his son Larry and his wife Rita of Council Bluffs, IA; and his granddaughters: Kristen Kay Anderson and her husband Courtney of Des Moines, and Rebecca Ann Erickson of Ft. Dodge, IA.

His parents, his son Scott Allen, and his brother Robert preceded Kenny in death.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2008, at 10:30 AM at the Faith Lutheran Church in Griswold, Pastor Celeste Waymire officiating. Burial will be in the Flint Cemetery. Open visitation will be at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold and the family will be present on Friday evening from 6:30 to 7:30.