Keith E. Erickson

Keith E. Erickson, age 89, of Iron River, MI, passed away on Monday, October 12, 2020 at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI. after a 3-week valiant fight with Covid. He was born on August 28, 1931 in Stambaugh, MI, the son of the late Everett and Lily (Thunander) Erickson. Keith attended the Iron River Schools, graduating from Iron River High School in 1949 along with his future bride, Carol Benson. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He served in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska from 1949-1953. While on leave from the Navy, Keith married Carol Benson on December 16, 1950 in Stambaugh, MI. The couple built their home on Sunset Lake in Bates Township where they became parents to five children. Keith called Carol “The Love of his Life” and they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary in 2019. He was employed as a miner at the Wauseca/Homer Mines for 15 years. Then he began working outdoors in the logging industry, joined later by his son, Leif, until his retirement. He was a member of the Iron County Timberman's Association; American Legion Alfred Branchini Post 17 and Reino Post 21; also Iron River Senior Cribbage Group. October 12, 2015, Keith took the trip of a lifetime with the Never Forgotten Honor Flight with his youngest daughter, Jan Sartorelli, as his Guardian. He loved cribbage and played every day with his wife and anytime the family walked through their door. He was known for the tell-tale tunes “O Solo Mio” and “Deedle Leedle Leet” when he had a great hand. He enjoyed woodworking creating many gifts for family members. His biggest accomplishment was hand-building a log cabin where the family gathered for over 30 years. Keith spent many years fishing, hunting, trapping, berry-picking, and morel-hunting. Keith is survived by his wife, Carol; son, Leif (Sharon) Erickson of Iron River, MI; daughters, MonaJean (Vincent) Rose of Marquette, MI; Lori (the late Rod) Kaye of Alpena, MI; and Jan (Mark) Sartorelli of Appleton, WI. He left 10 beloved grandchildren and two step grandsons: Ariane (Rob) Stassek; Andy (Brittany) Kachmarsky; Eric Erickson; Amy (Evan) Sandstrom; Evan (Kate) Erickson; Anthony (Angie) Sartorelli, Kyle Sartorelli, Cory (Carrie) Sartorelli, Karisa Kaye, Erica Kaye, Kristopher (Kristin) Kaye, and Brian Kaye. He was blessed with 11 great-grandchildren: Meah, Isaiah, Greyah, Evan, Connor, Allison, Beau, Luca, Jett, Joey, Lacey; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Joy Carol Erickson, in 1962. Visitation will be held at the Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron River on Saturday, October 24, 2020 from 1pm-3pm. Funeral services will follow immediately at the Bates Township Cemetery where the West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at the graveside. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Keith E. Erickson, please visit our flower store.