It is with great sadness that the family of Jerry Dee Erickson announces his passing, at his home in Byron, MN on Sep 22, 2019, at the age of 69 of cancer with his family and loved ones nearby.

Jerry was born Nov 4, 1949 in Rochester, MN to Lester and Bernice Erickson. He grew up in the Dover-Chatfield area attending school (K-4) in Dover and (5-12) in Chatfield.  He graduated from Chosen Valley High School in 1967.

After graduating he moved with his family to Rochester, MN where he met the love of his life, Claudia Gail Kent of Spring Valley, MN.  Jerry and Claudia were married Sep 5, 1970 in Fillmore, MN.  They were blessed with two children, Tammy and Corey.  They lived in the Rochester area until their children grew up and left home. They then moved to the country on ten acres near Byron, MN for 20 years.  After Jerry retired they moved to Park Rapids, MN trading their lawn tractor and acreage in for a fishing pontoon and a (river) lake.  They lived in Park Rapids for six years and recently moved back to Byron.

Jerry started his career after graduation at General Trading Company – Carquest in 1968 as a Warehouse – Delivery employee.  Over the years he worked his way up to  Warehouse Manager and then Assistant Manager. In 1982 he became part owner of the company and in 1986 he became Manager.  In 1989 after 20 years he sold his shares in the company and went to work for the Minnesota Department of Transportation in Rochester.  Jerry started as a Seasonal Laborer on the Striping Crew covering all of the highways in SE Minnesota.  He later transferred to the Inventory Center as a Transportation Materials Technician.  Jerry worked at MNDOT for 21 years until he retired in 2011.

Jerry enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, long rides in the car, drifting on the lake, listening to old classic country music, drinking beer, playing guitar and singing with friends and family, and watching all MN sports teams on TV.  He especially loved spending time with his grandkids reading, playing board games, just watching them play when they were little and hearing all about their busy lives as they grew.

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Claudia Erickson; daughter Tammy (Jason) Steele of Stewartville; son Corey Erickson of Rochester; three grandchildren Zebadiah, Keeley & Autumn; two step grandchildren Brandon & Jory.  He is also survived by his mother Bernice Erickson; brother Larry (Susan) Erickson; sister-in laws Rochelle Erickson & Maxine Smith; and many nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Lester Erickson, younger brother Brian Erickson, and many family members on his wife's side.  He said he was looking forward to being reunited with all of them in the beyond.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday September 27 at The River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester with Chaplain Kellie Tracz officiating.  Jerry's final resting place will be in the Spring Valley Cemetery.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the celebration on Friday.

A special thanks to the staff at Mayo Clinic Hospice for the special care, attention and support they gave Jerry and his family at the end of his life. A special thanks also to Regal's Catering for our luncheon Friday.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com