Jerry Erickson

Gerald "Jerry" Allyn Erickson, 89, of Marion, Iowa, passed peacefully January 30, 2017. Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 4, 2017, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 3634 1st Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA. Visitation at 10:30. Worship service at 11:30. Interment at Grygla, MN at a later date. Jerry is survived by his wife Ardith "Ardy"; 5 children: Greg (Laurel) Erickson, Suwanee, Georgia; Kristine (David) Rowley, Spirit Lake, Iowa; Kathy (Jim) Loux, Springfield, Illinois; Lori (Jeff) Hayes, Marion, Iowa; Lisa (Collin) Suttie, Chesterfield, Missouri; ten grandchildren: Erik Rowley, Schaumburg, Illinois; Krista (Chet) Aliga, Denver, Colorado; Kathleen Rowley, Iowa City, Iowa; Connor Rowley, Iowa City, Iowa; Erica (Peter) Goings, Kansas City, Missouri; Dana Hayes, Kansas City, Missouri; Lauren Suttie, Indianapolis, Indiana; Kara Suttie, Chesterfield, Missouri; Ted Radford, Suwanee, Georgia; Charlotte Radford, Statesboro, Georgia; brother Rev. Clint (Sigrid) Erickson of Webster, Wisconsin; sister-in-law Donna Erickson of Rochester, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Dennis Erickson and Dale Erickson, and grandson Sean Rowley. Jerry was born on December 17, 1927, on a farm near Grygla, Minnesota, the son of Gustaf Adolph Erickson; and Tilda (Hylland) Erickson. Though raised on a farm, he attended Oak Grove Lutheran High School, Fargo, North Dakota, and graduated 1945. He entered the US Navy and served as an Electronics Technician until 1947. He married the love of his life Ardy Nordby, Grygla, Minnesota June 25, 1951, and honeymooned in Yellowstone. Jerry graduated from North Dakota State University, Fargo, with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering degree, 1953. They moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Jerry was employed by Collins Radio Company 36 years (Rockwell Collins) as a research and design engineer. He worked in the Advanced Communications and Countermeasures Division of Collins Defenses Communications and retired in 1989. His family refers to him as America's 'Q'. Jerry loved golf, baseball, camping, travel, photography, card games, technology, finance, FOX News and carpentry! Jerry never left the farm. After retirement he would return to Grygla spring and fall to help work the Nordby century farm. A member of Sons of Norway, visiting his ancestral homeland in Norway was a favorite trip. He loved sharing his faith through various church ministries. He sang tenor for over 63 years in church choirs. Iconic images associated with Jerry: blueberry pancakes, lutefisk, mountains, coffee, newspapers, pocket protectors and his blue eyes. Memorials can be made to Our Savior's Lutheran Church.