Bruce E. Erickson

Bruce Elton Erickson of Albert Lea, Minnesota, passed away peacefully following a prolonged diagnosis of Alzheimer's on February 25, 2026. He celebrated his 85th birthday on February 9, 2026, with German Chocolate Cake, his favorite. Most of his adult life was spent living in Rochester, MN.

After graduating from Rochester High School and studying for a year at Rochester Junior College, Bruce enlisted in the Army in 1959. He served in the Army Security Agency while stationed in Germany and received an honorable discharge in 1962.

His marriage in 1973 to Julia Erickson ended in divorce after 20 years. Julia Linn Erickson passed away suddenly in 1994 from a brain aneurysm. Bruce is survived by one daughter, Inge Erickson, from his marriage to Linn, and one grandson, Theo Huggins, a fisherman and hunter just like his grandpa.

Bruce worked for an employment agency in Rochester. Also, he worked for the juvenile detention center in Lino Lakes, MN. He later obtained a bachelor’s degree in English from Winona State University. He worked for several construction companies, a building materials company, and obtained a contractor license allowing side job opportunities.

His place of rest, reflection, and renewal was the family cabin built by Bruce with the help of friends and family in the woods overlooking Pine Creek in 1970, 10 miles from Rushford, MN. Hunting deer and turkey, trout fishing, exploring, and hiking were always on the agenda, as well as family and friends get-togethers. Hog roasts and barbeques were favorite family events. He loved working with wood projects, including making wood bowls out of black walnut. His woodworking shop, which he built, was just below the cabin. Bruce was a walking songbird encyclopedia. He occupied his evenings as a voracious reader.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Berdine and Dorothy Erickson. In addition to his daughter and grandson, he is survived by his sister Deborah Grendahl and brother Joel Erickson, as well as two nephews, Andy (Samantha) Grendahl and Jeshua (Jennifer) Erickson, and three nieces, Robin (Kris) Jones, Jodi (Mark) Charlton, and Natasha (Kevin) Land.

Burial with military honors will take place at the MN State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minnesota, on July 31, 2026, at 3:00 pm. The address is 715 Highway 52, Preston, Minnesota. Please arrive early, as a concise schedule is maintained. Following the burial, those attending are invited to the Old Barn, Lanesboro, MN, for a community meal.