Daniel (Dan) Marlin Erickson, 79, of Tomah, WI, peacefully passed away on January 6, 2025, at the Tomah VA Medical Center with his beloved daughter at his side.
Dan was born on November 8, 1945, in Glenwood, MN and grew up with his brothers and sister on his parent’s small dairy farm in Alexandria, MN.
After high school graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and embarked upon a career that would take him from the Navy to the Marines, and later the Army. Dan served proudly as a Medic for the Marine Corps. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines and served missions in Da Nang, Phu Bai, Hue, Dong Ha and Khe Sahn on the DMZ. After 12 months of service in Vietnam from 11/66-11/67 he returned stateside and was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Chicago, IL as a Senior Corpsman on the SOQ unit. After 4 years, 17 days of service he was honorably discharged to civilian life with the rank of Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (E5).
In 1969, Dan married Sandra (Sandi) Toeppe and moved to Tomah, WI to work in broadcasting at WTMB. After WTMB, Dan worked at Leisure Time Sports and later enlisted in the US Army Reserves training with the 44th General Hospital based in Madison, WI as an LPN. His unit was activated for operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in August of 1990. In April of 1993, he retired from active reserve status as a Master Sergeant (E8) with over 20 years of total military service. For the next 7 years, he proudly served as the Monroe County Veterans Service Officer.
After his tenure as a VSO, Daniel became the District Transportation Supervisor and certified CDL instructor for the Tomah School District. In addition to training drivers, he took a small route himself so he could drive his precious Tomah Timberwolves sport teams to games. They brought him a great deal of joy.
One of Dan’s favorite pastimes was to visit the Highground Veterans Park to reflect on his service in Vietnam and his 20 year career in the military. He was honored there with a legacy stone on June 10, 2017.
Daniel was preceded in death by Henning and Julia Erickson (parents), Robert and Betty Toeppe (father and mother-in-law), Glenn Erickson (brother), Karen Erickson (sister-in-law), Sandra Toeppe (ex-wife), and Kevin Erickson (son).
Daniel is survived by Sarene Erickson (daughter), Sharon Velez (daughter-in-law), his siblings, Henning Erickson Jr., John (Carol) Erickson, DeVada (Dave) Theisen, Willys (Jeannie) Erickson, David (Linda) Erickson, Ralph (Cheryl) Erickson, brothers-in-law, Robert (Kathy) Toeppe, Jeffrey (Barbara) Toeppe, his grandchildren, Bret Noltner, Haylea (Statler) Brandvig, Dax Erickson-Velez, Xavier Erickson-Velez, Rhys Erickson-Velez, Scarlett Erickson-Velez, his great grands, Madisyn Noltner, Raelyn Beise, and Acelin Mainu, and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025, 12 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tomah. Pastor Bill Rice will officiate. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Tomah. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made directly out to the family. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Torkelson Funeral Home
