LeRoy Eldon Erickson

LeRoy Eldon Erickson died unexpectedly on Saturday, November 17, 2012, in Show Low, Navajo County, Arizona from a brain aneurism. He was 79 years old. He was born on October 9, 1933 in Butterfield, Minnesota to his parents, the late Esther K. and Gunnar E. Erickson. He lived most of his life in Butterfield, Minnesota where he married Ardis Louise Voge on October 17, 1953. LeRoy was a carpenter by trade and he built many beautiful homes in Minnesota. In 1956 LeRoy and Ardis decided to take an adventure and head west where they were one of the first families to set up their home in Page, Arizona during the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam. LeRoy also helped to construct the Navajo Generating Station and the Coronado Power Plant. LeRoy moved several times back to Minnesota and was Butterfield's Boy Scout leader for over 20 years, making a difference in the lives of many boys. After retiring in 1997, LeRoy and Ardis lived in Concho, Arizona during the winter months and Butterfield, Minnesota during the summer months. While in Minnesota, LeRoy kept busy by playing the part of Jesse James in many parades and reenactments of the famous bank robbery in Northfield, Minnesota. LeRoy was also the proud owner of a 1929 Model-A Ford, which had originally belonged to his grandfather. LeRoy drove the Model-A in the annual Butterfield Threshing Bee Parade held in August of every year. He was known for his wood carvings of guns, hand built knives and other challenging projects. LeRoy participated in demonstrations of his crafts throughout the summer in local fairs. He loved to go to church, work in his garden and go fishing. He is survived by his wife, Ardis Erickson; a son, Mark Erickson of Backus, Minnesota; 4 daughters: Betty Jarrett of Show Low, Arizona, Bambi Erickson of San Tan Valley, Arizona, Sara Beatty of Mesa, Arizona, Teresa Chrapkiewicz of Ladson, South Carolina; 8 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren (with a fourth great-grandchild on the way); 1 sister, Betty Fitzgarrald of Omaha, Nebraska and one brother, Dewayne Erickson of Owatonna, Minnesota. A memorial service will begin 1:00 P.M., December 9, 2012 at the Faith Fellowship Church, 37208 Highway 61 in Concho, Arizona. Another service is planned for late Spring 2013 in Minnesota.