Bob (Robert Alden) Erickson

Bob (Robert Alden) Erickson, went home to be with his precious Savior and Lord on February 13,2008.

Bob was born in Lemmon, SD on December 12, 1945 to Alden and Varna Erickson. He grew up in South Dakota, living and loving the ranch life and being a “Cowboy". In later years, he entertained many with his humorous accounts of growing up and the adventures he and his brothers experienced. His stories included many accounts of the antics of the animals they raised that were so much a part of that life. He attended the local Valley grade school and graduated from Bison High School.

He loved to rodeo and competed in Saddle Bronc and Bareback events. He served in the National Guard and later moved to Bozeman, MT where he owned and operated Ericksons General Feed Store.

He also was employed by Gallatin Equipment where he excelled in sales. He loved people and visiting with them, sharing of himself and learning about them.

He graduated from the first class of Horshoeing School at MSU, and also graduated from Western Auctioneering School. He loved to hunt and fish and was an excellent horseman.

Bob became a Christian in 1974, and as a result, attended Christ For The Nations in Dallas, TX where he Graduated with an Associates Degree In Ministry. According to Bob, these were some of the best days of his life, being in a “spiritual bubble”, learning about the Lord and partaking of the awesome praise and worship that is CFNI.

In 1988, Bob started a company named Equipment Finders, in Laurel, MT. For the past 20 years, if you needed any agricultural or industrial equipment, he was your man!

Bob is survived by his wife, Peggy ,Billings, MT, son Shawn (Erlonna) of Lewistown, MT, son Brandon (Bonni) of Meridian, Ill, son CJ Zielie (Destiny) of Billings, MT, three beautiful grandchildren, Taten and Ali of Lewistown, MT, and Meghan White of Meridian, ill, two brothers, John (Corinne) of Bison, SD, Bill (Cassie) of Ismay, MT, along with many nieces, nephews, and many wonderful friends. who shared his life. He was preceded in death by his parents.

What was most important to Bob, because of the incredible eternal value – was being able to share his love of the Lord with those he met in his day to day life and in his business.

You will be missed by the people who love you, but we know that you are safe and happy in the arms of Jesus – waiting for us!

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Monday, February 18, at First Assembly Life Center 550 32nd St West. Burial will follow at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Billings Cowboy Church, c/o Colleen Cain, 66 West Arrow Creek Rd, Huntley, MT 59037

Peggy, We will be looking for Bob one of these days when we go upstairs with our Lord and Savior!! God bless you and your family in your time of sorrow. Chris and Jan Michal

Peggy and Family, It is with deep sorrow that I say I’m so sorry for your loss. I loved Bob from the first time I met him. His smile could light up a room! Speaking of rooms, I remember helping Peggy do up his cowboy room!! It turned out so beautiful. Thanks for taking me into your family. He will be missed greatly. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. All my love, Margie Fisher

So sorry to hear about Bob. We enjoyed seeing the two of you in Washington one recent summer. I remember going to church near Date, SD. and all of the Ericksons and Goddards went along with the Meinks and other neighbors. As I said we are very sorry to hear of your loss. Sandy and Rod Friese Buckley, Wash

My thoughts and prayers are with you Peggy and the family. Bobs sense of humor always brought me smiles. I am sorry for your loss, family and friends will be missing him but heaven has a Great Angel. love, Denise Hilario

Peggy and family, We are very sorry to hear of your loss. I talked equipment with Bob once or twice a year and we would always have a nice chat about this and that, we caught up on family, equipment etc.. Bob was always very nice and easy going. I also want Uncle John and Bill to know how sorry we are for your loss. Our Prayers are with all of you. Sincerely, Clint and Pat Englehart Fort Pierre, South Dakota

Peggy and Family, Our condolences to your family in this time of great sorrow and loss. Our prayers are with you Peggy as well as all your family and extended family. Special thoughts go out to you Peggy and to Bob’s brothers John and Bill. We understand your shock and grief having almost the same experience 12 years ago. There are no words to express the thoughts we send your way. Bob will be missed. Sincerely, Llewellyn and Karen Englehart

We are sorry to hear about the sudden death of Bob. I will always remember what fun we had in grade school and during our summers together. I can still remember when Alden & Varna dug the basement out for their new home. There was a big pile of dirt from it. John, Bob, Bill and I would play King of the Mountain on it for hours. John usually won. We were so glad you and Bob stopped by our home to visit with us after your trip to Alaska. We will always remember that big smile Bob always had. Good memories will be with us forever. Gary and Dixie Friese Buckley, Wash

CJ, You are in our prayers during this time of loss and sorrow. May Christ fill your sorrow with the comfort and peace that only Christ can give. May these verses be of some comfort to you and your family. "In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us" (Ps 62:7-8). Nathan & Kelly Damm Former classmate of CJ's

Peggy, What a surprise to read about a new friend that was so full of life and the Lord. We are truly sorry to hear of the lose. We will be thinking of you and have you in our prayers. Judy and Frank Young It’s A Cinch

Peggy, Shawn, Bradon, CJ and families’ Though we lived in Montana for only a year, Bob was a brother, support and best friend. You’re all in our prayers and thoughts. Bob had a contagious laugh, a unique ability to relate lifes experiences in entertaining story form, and share his love and faith in His Lord and Saviour. He will be greatly missed and always remembered. Tough our families have spread in distance and time caused unintentional distactions our love for your families flows deep and forever. You’re in our prayers, Bill and Vickie Webb, Jennifer (Mike) Schmidt, Kelly (Chad) Duryea, and Lisa (Trent) Russell. From the Sandhills of Nebraska

I was so sorry to hear about the sudden death of a former high school classmate. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Bob today. I will always remember the great times we had going to high school together at Bison. Orein & Rose (Sander) Hafner

We are so sorry for your terrible loss. I remember the Erickson family well having graduated with Bill and seeing those three smiling boys coming to dances and movies in Bison. If there are two words to describe the Erickson boys it would be “true gentlemen.” What a humble and kind family from Alden and Varna to their sons. My husband got to know Bob at farm equipment ag shows and had the same opinion. Our sympathies to all of you. Kerry and Ginger (Hanson) Dangerud