Donald "Sonny" John Erickson

Donald "Sonny" John Erickson, 83, of Red Wing, died on Friday, April 11, 2014 at St. Brigid's at Hi-Park. He was born on May 31, 1930 in Red Wing to John and Hilma (Peterson) Erickson. He attended Washington School and Central High School in Red Wing. On March 19, 1951 he married Joyce Bach in Laurel, Mississippi. He was in the National Guard in the 47th division, from 1948 to 1951. For a couple of months they lived in Enterprise, Alabama. After his discharge they returned to Red Wing. They lived in various places throughout Red Wing. He worked at LaGrange Shoe Factory for six months. On January 16, 1952 he went to work at SB Foot Tannery where he worked for 41 years, retiring on April 1, 1993. He received his pilot's license in his late 60's and had many solo flights. Donny loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping and hiking so much that at the age of 80 he climbed Barn Bluff. He loved to travel, was an avid reader and a member of the Leo C. Peterson American Legion Post #54.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce; three daughters, Vickie (David) Shell of Red Wing, Julie Soine of Red Wing and Tammie (David) Stephani of Aitkin, Minn; one son, David (Mary) Erickson of Red Wing; 10 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; five sisters, Joanne Webster of Ellsworth, Myrna Erickson of Red Wing, Doris Staehr of Morgan Hill, Calf., Judith Schmidt of Minnetonka and Carol Erickson in St. Cloud. He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Glenn Erickson.

Funeral will be 1 p.m. Thursday at the Chapel at St. Brigid's at Hi-Park. Burial will be at the St. John's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.

Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.

---

Visitation

APR 16. 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (CDT)

Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel
602 Plum Street P.O. Box 111
Red Wing, MN 55066

Visitation

APR 17. 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM (CDT)

Chapel at St. Brigid's at Hi-Park
213 Pioneer Road
Red Wing, MN 55066

Service

APR 17. 1:00 PM (CDT)

Chapel at St. Brigid's at Hi-Park
213 Pioneer Road
Red Wing, MN 55066