Don E. Erickson

Don E. Erickson II age 70 a resident at ARIA at Villa Pines Nursing Home, Friendship passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at the home. He was the second child born to Shirley (nee Dahlke) a fine artist and Don Erickson, a Frank Lloyd Wright trained architect. Like his parents, Don was highly intelligent and a voracious reader, absorbing books on philosophy, chemistry, and genetics to mechanics. Don had a passion for cars. Friends would consult him and describe automotive symptoms for his diagnosis. Don had more than one old car or truck on his property waiting to be overhauled. Don’s interests also extended to computers. He studied biochemistry and computer programming at the University of Stevens Point and Oshkosh for a few years. He loved to garden and can his own organic produce; he independently explored the culinary arts and was a “foodie.” Well known for his good looks and “wicked” sense of humor, Don charmed many women. He had a captivating smile, loved people, and was generous to a fault.

Raised in the Chicago suburbs, Don moved with his mother and siblings to Wisconsin in 1970 and attended Princeton High School. As an adult, he found worked in all aspects of food processing including Del Monte Foods and rose to the position of crew leader. After a long-term engagement at Del Monte, Don became a sanitation supervisor at Monogram Foods. He was proud of his work at both food processing plants.

In 2021, Don was diagnosed with a rare, terminal degenerative brain disease called Frontal Temporal Degeneration (CBD/PSP) which significantly affected Don’s ability to live independently.

Don leaves three siblings including Elizabeth Erickson, Wautoma, a niece, two nephews, a brother-in-law and a large extended Dahlke side of the family in Wautoma including Steven and Tommy Dahlke. He was preceded in death by his parents; uncle: Charles "Chuck" Dahlke and other aunts and uncles.

Our family would like to thank his home care team, his care team at ARIA at Villa Pines (Friendship, Wisconsin), and his hospice team who helped Don navigate the progression of his disease and to transition from this earthly life to another life “on the other side.”

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a later date. 

Donations in Don's name can be made at the links below to help with research of Frontal Temporal Degeneration.