Edsel "Ed" Erickson

Age 82 of Forest Lake. Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather & Brother, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at home on July 5, 2022. Preceded in death by parents, Emil & Eline. Survived by loving wife of 61 years, Connie; children, Wanda Simonson, Darrin, Corinne “Cori” (Grant) Rajdl, Angela (Amanda); grandchildren, Joel, Taylor, Hailee, Grayson, great-grandson, Ryden & a great-grandson due in August; brother, Edward (DeeDee); nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends. Edsel was born on November 23rd, 1939, to Emil and Eline Erickson in Sterling Township, WI. He was baptized at Cushing Lutheran Church and confirmed in Trade River Church. He attended Wolf Creek & Orr Elementary and later St. Croix Falls High School. As a young man he enjoyed trapping, fishing, and hunting. He also enjoyed spending time with family, including his loyal dog Prince. Following high school, he began a roofing apprenticeship and later joined the Roofer’s Union in 1959, as a commercial flat roofer. In September of 1960 he married Connie Johnson and they made their home in Minneapolis and later moved to Circle Pines. Together they raised 4 children and later welcomed 4 grandchildren, one great-grandson with another great-grandson due in August. They moved from Circle Pines to Trade Lake, WI in 1970 where he tirelessly worked renovating their home to provide a foundation for their future. They moved back to Circle Pines in 1973 and eventually moved to Forest Lake in 1991, where he established his own roofing business, Erickson & Son Roofing Inc. Edsel retired from his accomplished roofing career in 2001. He always had an interest in woodworking and attended logging school in the early 80’s. This schooling help foster his love of the craft, where he went on to build 3 log cabins. Following his retirement from roofing, he was able to further explore his talent and true passion of wood working. What started as a hobby grew into a successful business, Northern Rustics Hand-Crafted Log Furniture. Edsel’s amazing talent and creativity was always evolving as he strived to perfect his abilities. Edsel was a very loving and devoted family man, always supporting his family and friends in any way that he could. He had deep appreciation and respect for the outdoors and all creatures, big and small. Ed was the most caring, kindhearted, and generous person imaginable. He could make friends with complete strangers, and he did. Edsel’s gentle, kind, genuine personality was felt by so many and will forever be missed. A celebration of Ed’s life 11 AM Friday, July 15th with visitation beginning at 10 AM at Hosanna Lutheran Church, 9300 Scandia Trail N., Forest Lake. Interment at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Luck, WI.