Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, October 26, 2026 at Olson Funeral Chapel in Britton, concluding with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service.

Donald Richard Erickson was the youngest child of Emil & Carrie Erickson. He was born October 4, 1931, at home. He was baptized and confirmed at Falnes Lutheran Church. He attended grade school at Harmony Hill 202 in Independence Township, Day County and high school in Langford.

On November 25, 1951, Don was united in marriage with his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Adele Youngquist, at Highlanda Lutheran Church. They always joked about mixing the Norwegians and Swedes together but it was a good mix! They started farming and moved onto the Youngquist farm, which had been homesteaded by Dorothy’s grandfather. After Dorothy’s passing in 2016, Don continued to live there until two weeks before his death when he moved into Spruce Court Assisted Living.

Don was an early adopter of no-till practices and always a strong advocate for conservation. He planted many acres of trees over the years, transforming the original homestead. He and his sons received the Soil Conservation Farm/Ranch Award in 2009.

Don farmed with his sons, Mark and Joel, before retiring in 2012. He had a desire to keep the farm viable for generations and was extremely proud of the future generations. At the age of 94 he still drove to the field, climbed into the combine and rode for a while. He was interested in what was happening at the farm right up to his death.

As a skilled welder, designing something, and seeing it come into fruition was his passion. Beyond repairing and building equipment for the farm, his talents extended to the community from making props for the plays and adding handrails to the bleachers at the Langford school, ramp at Highlanda, shooting bench, steps, docks, and the list goes on. Resourcefulness was ingrained in him from his Depression era upbringing, and he added his spark of creativity to everything he built. An interest in local history led to several research projects, such as the Falnes quilt. In 2021 he received the Heart of Dakota (People’s Choice) Award for his community involvement.

Aging and loss of physical strength were frustrating, but he embraced other opportunities to use his precision fabrication skills. Last winter, the sewing machine and iron became his tools, and he made over a dozen quilt tops for a charity project.

In the last few years you could find him just about every day at the C-Store for morning coffee and in the summer cruising the neighborhood with his golf cart and German Shepherd, Jack. Spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids always brought smiles.

He served on the Highlanda Church Council and was a Sisseton Township Superviser. He was a member of the Steering Committee that saw a need for a rural water system which was the beginning of BDM and was instrumental in setting up a SD Community Foundation Fund for the Falnes Cemetery. Many friends were made bowling on leagues in Claremont and Britton.

Donald passed away Monday, October 12, 2026 in Britton, SD at the age of 95.

Grateful for having shared Donald’s life are his four children: Mark (Michelle) Erickson ofLindstrom,MN;Bruce(Mary) Erickson of Jackson, WY; Joel (Karen) Erickson of Langford and Holly (Brad) Hanauer of Muncie, IN; ten grandchildren: Hayley McKenzie and Hattie (Nic) Smith; Dustin, Ryan, Adele and Oscar Erickson; Kristen (Austin) Johnson and James (Morgan) Erickson; Rachel (Alex Strauss) Hanauer and Sarah (Steven) Barnes; six great-grandchildren: Felix & Daniel Strauss; Theo & Myles Johnson; and Winslow & Jax Erickson and baby Johnson due in December; and his sister, Ardyce Jarman, Ballwin, MO.

Preceding him in death were his wife, his parents, and his siblings: Iola Alferness, Philip Erickson and Glenice Cannon.

Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Joel Erickson – 42545 120th St. – Langford, SD 57454.

A full obituary and online guestbook are available at www.olsonfuneralchapel.com