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. 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. His 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 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 work in all aspects of food processing including 37 years at Del Monte Foods and rose to the position of crew leader. After a long-term employment at Del Monte, Don became a sanitation supervisor at Monogram Foods for five years. He was proud of his work at both food processing plants, and greatly enjoyed his coworkers.

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

Don leaves three sisters including Elizabeth Erickson, Wautoma, niece Cora Schoofs of Madison, two nephews and a brother-in-law in Texas, an aunt in Eau Claire area, and an extended Dahlke family in Wautoma with many cousins. Don was predeceased by both parents, and aunt and uncles of Wautoma area.

Our family would like to thank his home care team starting with a special thank you to Cyndi from Synergy (Waupaca-based home health) who stayed on more than 18 months (starting in January 2022) until her retirement; his Therapy teams with Compassus, Transitions and ThedaCare; then his WI Long-Term-Care team with ADRC on-boarding from November 2023 to October 2025; and lastly his cares team at ARIA at Villa Pines (Friendship, Wisconsin) with simultaneous hospice enrollment who both helped Don navigate the progression of his disease and to transition from this earthly life to another life “on the other side.” Along the way, associations related to his rare disease contributed with resources and online support forums (see below). 

A Celebration of Life gathering and luncheon will be held at Johann’s Bar and Grill, Richford, Saturday Oct. 3, 2026 from 1-5. 

Donations in Don's name can be made at the links below:

The Association of Frontal Temporal Degeneration: theaftd.org

CurePSP: psp.org