Funeral Mass was held for Jesse Erickson of Ottertail on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Otto Township, rural Perham, with Fr. George Michael presiding. Honorary pallbearers were Daryl Zeise, Alan Kopischke, John Hanson, Chuck Tangeman, Jeff Thompson, Scott Winter, Herman Frost and Elliot Frost. Military Honors were provided by Charles D. Center V.F.W. Post #3289 of New York Mills and the United States Navy Honor Guard. Jesse was laid to rest at St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery, Otto Township, rural Perham.

Jesse Aaron Erickson was born on February 24, 1944 in Wadena.  His parents were the late Elmer and Maxine (McPeck) Erickson.  Jesse grew up on the family farm in rural Wadena where he attended District #10 Country School in Leaf Lake Township graduating from the 8th grade.  Jesse served honorably in the United States Navy from February 20, 1964 to February 17, 1967.   He was employed at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fargo, N.D. as a surgeons assistant and then moved to Montana where he worked at various logging camps. 

On October 28, 1972 Jesse was united in marriage with Rita Hildegard Theisen at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grey Eagle, Minn. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Amy and Tracy. They made their home in Wadena for 19 years.  Jesse was employed for 20 years as  a section hand for the Burlington Northern Railroad, retiring in 1992.  In 1996 Jesse and Rita made their home on the Otter Tail River in Ottertail. During retirement Jesse worked with his daughter, Tracy at the Super 8 Motel.

Jesse was known for his love for music and would dance all night long.  He enjoyed playing guitar with his daughters and grandsons.  Jesse was quite the entertainer for many neighborhoods get togethers, he also enjoyed joining in at Saturday night Masses at St. Anns Catholic Church in Wadena.

He was born with a special gift of non-stop talking till Rita would say, “Jesse, maybe someone else would like to talk.  He would stop for a minute and start right back up again.  Jesse also enjoyed fishing and deer hunting, but especially loved talking and telling stories to his grandchildren.

Jesse was a member of the American Legion, New York Mills VFW, Knights of Columbus, Ottertail Rod & Gun Club and the Brotherhood of Maintenance Way Union.

On February 22, 2024 Jesse passed away at the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, N.D. at 79 years of age.  He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.  Preceding Jesse in death were his parents, Elmer and Maxine Erickson and his daughter, Tracy Frost.

Jesse is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Rita Erickson of Ottertail; daughter, Amy Erickson of Kingman, Ariz.; 4 grandsons: Herman, Elliot, Francis and Oliver; sisters: Audrey Peterson of Wadena and Carol (Rich) Taggart of Wadena; son-in-law, Chris Frost of New York Mills; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and a host of friends.

Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave memorials and condolences on Jesse’s Tribute Wall.

Arrangements provided by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of New York Mills.