Richard C. Erickson, 81, of Griswold, formerly of Lewis died Thursday, September 1, 2011, at the Cass County Hospice Center in Atlantic.

Richard Clemens Erickson was born on the family farm in Page County Iowa near Yorktown on March 7, 1930, the only child of Martin William and Okey Belle (Snodderly) Erickson. He attended rural schools and entered the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal after serving in Germany and Korea. On June 7, 1953 he married Ruby JoAn Erickson at Yorktown. Dick farmed the family farm until 1967 when they moved to Atlantic and he went to work for Valley Oil. From 1968 to 1976, Dick worked for George Petersen. They then moved to Lewis and he drove truck for Mel Briles. In 1977, he operated the Lewis General Store and in 1979 started Erickson Backhoe. He dug graves in the area, installed monument foundations and mowed cemeteries. He retired in 1989 with his son Terry following in the business. He had been a resident of the Griswold Care Center since October of 2003.

Dick was a member of the VFW, a former member of the American Legion, former member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and former member of the Eagles.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Ruby on December 15, 1980, his daughter Dorothy Spies and his special friend Ella Mae Apt.

Survivors include his sons David of Wiota, IA, and his special friend Lory Smith; Tim of Lewis and his wife Kim and Terry of Lewis and his wife Nona. Also surviving are six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, David and his family, Tabitha and her family, Autumn and her family, Caleb, Colton and Chrissy and her family.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery at Lewis with military honors. Open visitation will be held at the Duhn Funeral Home and the family will be present on Monday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.