The Memorial Service for Tyrone Erickson will be at 11:00AM, Friday, May 30, 2014 at Bethel Lutheran Church with the Rev. Norman Wahl officiating.  Visitation will be 5:00PM – 8:00PM, Thursday, May 29, 2014 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.  Military Rites will be provided by American Legion Post 92.

Tyrone D. Erickson, 76, of Zumbro Falls, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, May 25, 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer.  He was surrounded by his loving family whom he cherished.

Ty was born on February 6, 1938 on the family farm in Nokay Lake Township, Crow Wing County, near Brainerd to Herbert and Ann (Mittag) Erickson.  He attended Brainerd MN schools graduating High School 1956.  He enlisted in the Army Reserves at the age of 17 and served until 1963.

Ty worked at IBM for a short time beginning in 1957 and then took a leave to pursue his higher education. While attending Rochester Jr. College, he developed a Physical Education program for St. John's Catholic School where he discovered his passion for teaching.  He then attended Winona State, completing his BS degree in Elementary Education.  Ty also earned his MS degree in Elementary School Counseling at Winona State.  He taught at Bamber Valley Elementary School from 1967 until his retirement in 1999.

Ty married Sharon Wiegand at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa on July 22, 1977.

Ty loved reading, spending time with his family, and enjoying his country home which he built near Zumbro Falls.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, one daughter, Angela Erickson of Northfield; four sons, Ben Erickson of Rochester, Will Erickson of Zumbro Falls and grandson Austin Head, Karl (Jamia) Erickson of Rochester and granddaughter Jayda, and Samuel (Tiffany Hebert) Erickson of Northfield; one brother, Herbert (Jerine) Erickson of Rochester; sister-in-law, Maurine Erickson of Longmont, CO and many relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather Harry Christian, son Jess and brother Clyde.

The Erickson family would like to express a sincere thank you to Seasons Hospice and to Dr. Robert McWilliams of Mayo Clinic for their care of Ty and support to our family.

Memorials are suggested to Seasons Hospice and Mayo Clinic Cancer Research.