Harold William Erickson

Dr. Harold W. Erickson, age 97, died peacefully on October 2, 2023 at the Stonemere Rehabilitation Center. A military funeral and interment will be held at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery at a later date.

Harold, (also known as Eric, Doc, and Papa Doc) son of Andrew and Anna (Benson) Erickson was born on February 8, 1926. He graduated early from South High in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the age of eighteen years and was trained as a waist gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress. On February 9th, 1945, on his sixth mission his plane was shot down, he parachuted from the plane and was captured and placed in a POW camp until the end of the war when General Patton liberated the camp.

After the war, he attended Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and then The Illinois School of Optometry. He started his practice in Buffalo, Minnesota, where his future father-in-law introduced him to the love of his life, Delores (Dee) Anderson. They were married June, 28, 1952, and started their wonderful journey of life. Harold and Dee settled in Algona, Iowa, where he practiced optometry for thirty-seven years. He was loved by his patients and the community.

His life was a life of service. God, family, and country. He volunteered and provided leadership for First Lutheran Church in Algona and The Church at Horseshoe Bay. He loved golf and spent time practicing, competing and teaching. He used his vocal gifts as a member of a barbershop chorus and also several quartets. He praised God as a member of the church choir. His family loved the times they would sit next to him at church and he would harmonize the hymns they were singing.

In his retirement, he continued his pursuit to “figure out” the golf game. He was an avid reader of history and current political issues. He was a sought-after resource for games of Trivial Pursuit and was always available for a quick lesson in US History or World History. He was a sport enthusiast. He was the #1 Texas Longhorn Fan. The most important athletes for him to follow were from Algona. He always asked for current updates and was proud to tell their stories to others.

Harold and Dee generously loved and provide for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in many ways. Most cherished are the times they had with their Papa Doc and Grandma Dee. Whether on the golf course, swimming, playing ball, or taking vacations.

He is survived by his his wife, Delores. Children: Lynn (Bob) Manske and Karin (Marshall) Boumeester. Grandchildren: Nicole, Andy, Adam, Kjirsten and Chris. Great-grandchildren: Leo, Abby, Tucker, Rex, Jax and Ava.

Proceeding him in death: Parents: Andrew and Anna Erickson, brothers Robert and Jack. Father-In-Law and Mother-In-Law: Oscar and Ann Anderson, Brother-In-Law: Oscar Anderson

The family would like to request any memorials that might be offered to be given to these organizations he supported: Global Eye Mission (founded by his nephew) and the Stonebriar Church of Frisco, Texas.