Donald Dale Erickson, the only child of Axel Knut and Nannie Elvera (Levine) Erickson, was born August 22, 1922 on a farm six miles east of Essex, Iowa. He passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2015 in a Rescue Unit en route from the Stanton Care Center to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 92 years, 9 months and 8 days.

Donald lived with his parents on a farm six miles east of Essex until the age of 9 when he and his parents moved to a farm five miles southeast of Essex. Donald lived on this farm and farmed with his Dad until March 1, 1952 when Donald married Lois Harriett Elvera Anderson at the Mission Covenant Church in Stanton, Iowa. Donald and Lois lived for a few months in Shenandoah, Iowa. After Donald's parents moved to Essex in the fall of 1952, Donald and Lois moved to the farm five miles southeast of Essex where he and Lois lived together until Donald's failing health made it necessary for him to move to the Stanton Care Center in Stanton, Iowa on April 12, 2012.

From grades 1st through 8th, Donald attended three country schools in Page County, Iowa; Goldenrod School, Hillsdale School and High Prairie School. Donald continued his education at Essex High School and graduated with the class of 1940.

Ever since Donald began driving a tractor at the age of seven, he was actively engaged in farming until failing health at the age of 86 made it impossible for him to continue.

From early childhood until December 1, 1991, Donald was highly involved in the Fremont Covenant Church east of Essex. After the merger of the Fremont Covenant and Essex Covenant Churches, Donald participated in the work of the Faith Covenant Church in Essex. Some of Donald's activities in the churches included: Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, youth group counselor, deacon, trustee, and choir member. In his earlier years, Donald sang solos and sang in a quartet. After his marriage, Donald often sang duets with his wife Lois. For a few years, Donald sang with the Southwest Iowa Male Chorus. Donald was a Tarkio Township trustee for many years. For a number of years, Donald was a member of the Nyman Cemetery Board.

Since Donald had no brothers or sisters, as a child Donald became very attached to his pet dogs. This love of dogs continued throughout his life. Donald always loved to farm, whether it was raising crops or raising livestock. He was happy when he was tending to his crops and livestock. Donald was very fortunate to have three wonderful grandchildren whom he adored greatly. Donald loved to sing and listen to Gospel music. Donald also had a passion for reading and studying the Bible. Donald's number one priority in life was to trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Norma and Paul Carlson, Hazel and Roy Sandin and Harlan Anderson.

Donald was survived by his wife of 63 years, Lois of the Stanton Care Center in Stanton, Iowa, his three sons; Ronald Erickson of Essex, Iowa, Les Erickson of Bellevue, Nebraska and Alan Erickson of Essex, Iowa, three grandchildren; Lauren Erickson, Taylor Erickson and Travis Erickson all of Bellevue, Nebraska, sister-in-law Rosemary Anderson of Red Oak, Iowa and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Lois Harriett Elvera Erickson, the youngest child of Carl Gustav George Anderson and Harriett Otelia (Mainquist) Anderson, was born March 1, 1924 on a farm three miles north of Stanton, Iowa. She passed away peacefully at the Stanton Care Center in Stanton, Iowa on June 18, 2015 at the age of 91 years, 3 months and 17 days.

In her early years, Lois lived with her parents and siblings on the family farm three miles north of Stanton, Iowa. Beginning with her junior year in high school, Lois lived in Red Oak, Iowa during the school year so that she could attend Red Oak High School and then Red Oak Junior College.

From grades 1st through 8th, Lois attended Buss Country School in the township of Frankfort in Montgomery County, Iowa. For grades 9th and 10th, Lois attended Stanton High School. For grades 11th and 12th, Lois attended Red Oak High School and graduated with the class of 1941. Lois attended one year at the Red Oak Junior College. Lois attended one year at Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, Iowa graduating in 1946.

On March 1, 1952, Lois married Donald Dale Erickson at the Mission Covenant Church in Stanton, Iowa. For a few months Lois and Donald lived in Shenandoah, Iowa. They then moved to a farm five miles southeast of Essex, Iowa. Failing health made it necessary for Lois to move to the Stanton Care Center in Stanton, Iowa on April 11, 2013.

Lois began her teaching career in the country schools of Montgomery County, Iowa. Lois taught at Washington number nine for one year (1942-1943) and taught at Frankfort number seven for two years (1943-1945). For five years, Lois taught fourth grade at the Lincoln School in Red Oak, Iowa (1946-1951). After her marriage in 1952, Lois became a farm wife, homemaker and stay-at-home Mom.

For a number of years, Lois belonged to the Friendly Neighbor Club. In later years, Lois was a member of the High Prairie Club. From childhood until her marriage in 1952, Lois was actively involved in the Mission Covenant Church in Stanton, Iowa. From 1952-1991, Lois was active in the Fremont Covenant Church east of Essex. After the merger of the Fremont Covenant and Essex Covenant Churches in 1991, Lois was active in the Faith Covenant Church in Essex, Iowa. Lois's church involvement included; Sunday School teacher, youth counselor, Women Ministries, deaconess, singing in the choir and singing duets with husband Donald. Lois enjoyed gardening, canning and freezing garden produce, raising chickens for meat and raising chickens for egg production. Lois loved music and often sang while doing housework. One of her favorite selections was a Swedish rendition of "He the Pearly Gates Will Open." Lois enjoyed being with her immediate family and enjoyed attending family gatherings with her many aunts, uncles and cousins. Lois dearly loved her three wonderful grandchildren. Lois read her Bible often and at an early age began to trust Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband Donald, sisters and brothers-in-law Norma and Paul Carlson and Hazel and Roy Sandin, and brothers Homer Anderson (infant) and Harlan Anderson.

Lois is survived by her three sons; Ronald Erickson of Essex, Iowa, Les Erickson of Bellevue, Nebraska and Alan Erickson of Essex, Iowa, three grandchildren; Lauren Erickson, Taylor Erickson and Travis Erickson all of Bellevue, Nebraska, sister-in-law Rosemary Anderson of Red Oak, Iowa and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Memorials may directed to the Faith Covenant Church in Essex, Iowa.