Guy L. Erickson

Northview-North Mankato Mortuary
2060 Commerce Drive
North Mankato, MN
(507) 388-2288

Guy Leonard Erickson died peacefully at Laurels Peak Rehabilitation Center in Mankato, MN, Wednesday, May 31, 2017.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 8, 2017, at Crossview Covenant Church, 2000 Howard Drive W., North Mankato, MN. Visitation will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday June 7, 2017 at Northview - North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato, MN and will continue one hour before the service at the church on Thursday. Burial will be in Woodland Hills Memorial Park, Mankato MN.

Guy was born July 19, 1919 in Mankato, MN, the son of Delbert Erven Erickson and Laura (Nerbovig) Erickson.  He was baptized on January 13, 1920 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Mankato   He achieved the age of 97 years, 10 months and 11 days.

Guy grew up in Mankato and lived nearly his entire life in this city.  He attended grade school and completed junior high school through the eighth grade.  As an adult he earned his General Educational Development certificate through the Veterans Administration.  His work life began as a baker’s helper in Mankato.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941 for the duration of the war.  He achieved the rank of Sergeant, a non-commissioned officer, and served as Company Cook at Army Camps in Indiana and Missouri.  He married Nettie Ratzlaff, Mountain Lake, MN, on May 4, 1942 in Kahoka, MO. and they celebrated 72 years, nine months and nine days of marriage.

Following his separation from military service, Guy returned to Mankato and began his own business, Guy’s Delivery Service.  He was subsequently employed as a cook and baker for Ron’s Café, moved in 1951 to Melvin, IA to own and operate Guy’s Café, returned in 1953 to be employed by Seven-Up Bottling, Fred Davey Construction and subsequently the United States Postal Service from which he retired in 1974.

Guy was a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church, North Mankato, MN, now Crossview Covenant Church, for nearly 60 years.  He served on several committees often associated with the Stony Point Bible Camp where he liked to bake daily for summer youth campers.  He was remembered for his raised, sugar donuts.  He served for several decades as a Sunday school teacher at nursing homes in Mankato. 

Guy was a member of a national Norwegian association, Møre og Romsdalslag in America, an organization of which his grandfather, Matias Nerbøvik, was a charter member in 1910. Prior to his death, Guy was the oldest, living, second generation Nerbovik descendent in America, descended from his immigrant, maternal grandfather and four immigrant brothers from Aukra, Møre og Romsdal, Norway.

Guy had abundant pride in and love for his family, from his parents and siblings to his great-grandchildren.  His family held precedence in his affection.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Nettie, four brothers, Archie, Arvid, Arnold, and Alton, and two sisters, Gladys and Evelyn.  He is survived by his son, Gary G. (Leslie) Erickson, Sunburg, MN; daughter Leilani K. (Joseph) Barnes, Alexandria, MN; and daughter Terry Lynn (Larry) Sparks, Lake Crystal, MN.  In addition, he was survived by seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Jeanette (Joseph) Grant, Mountain Lake, MN, Arlene Goossen, Aberdeen, SD, Eva Goossen, Trimont, MN, brother-in-law; Dennis (Darlene) Goossen, St. James, MN, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.