David Franklin Erickson

David Franklin Erickson passed away June 10, 2025 at Field Crest Care Center in Hayfield MN. David (a New Year’s baby) was born in 1937 on a farm in Westbrook MN to Harvey and Inga (Swenson) Erickson. He was raised a member of the Old Westbrook Lutheran Church where he was baptized and confirmed. He graduated from Westbrook High School in 1954 and then continued his education at Waldorf College in Forest City IA (1956) where he also played football. He then attended Mankato State University (1960) where he earned his teaching degree.

On July 3rd, 1959, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Marie Rongstad at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Dovray MN.  They were happily married for 61 years until her passing in 2020. In 1960, they and their son Kent moved to Hayfield MN where both David and Marilyn accepted jobs as teachers in the Hayfield School District. Soon after, they added two more sons and a daughter to their sweet, little family.

At Hayfield High, David taught Social Studies, Civics, driver’s education and coached both football and wrestling. Although he never wrestled in high school himself, David had many accomplishments during his time as a coach with numerous individual state champions and a second-place team in 1993. The Dave Erickson Wrestling Hall of Fame in Hayfield was named in his honor.  The following is a list of the Halls of Fame he was inducted into… Dave Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame for Minnesota wrestling coaches (1995), Mayo Civic Center Region 1 Hall of Fame (2009), and in 2015 both the Hayfield Vikings Athletic Hall of Fame and the Minnesota chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater OK. After retirement he was an avid supporter of the Westfield Razorbacks (Blooming Prairie and Hayfield Wrestling Co-op). They named their annual dual tournament “Dave Erickson Duals”.  He was a huge supporter of Hayfield Vikings Athletics. Long Live Viking Pride!
David and Marilyn were both members of Trinity Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and helped with many church projects over the years. He was a charter member of the Hayfield Lions Club for many years and helped with numerous projects including the building of the public pool. In 1969, he helped establish Field Crest Care Center. David was a founding member of the Hayfield Volunteer Ambulance in the early 70’s and also helped found The Oaks Golf Club in 1977. He was named Citizen of the Year for the 1995 Hayfield Hey Days celebration.

After retiring from teaching, David entered politics, was elected to the Dodge County Board of Commissioners and served for 20 years! His hobbies include reading about the Civil War and WWII, visiting his granddaughter (Sarah) in Arizona, supporting all local sports teams, “playing” golf, and socializing with the citizens of Hayfield. He is survived by sons Kent Erickson of Rochester MN, Kurt Erickson of Hayfield MN, and daughter Karin (Stacie) Erickson-Alison of Rochester MN as well as granddaughter Sarah Elise Erickson, brother Keith (Joan) Erickson and sister Beverly (Lee) Huls. He is also survived by sisters and brothers-in-law, Diane Erickson, Darrell Hungerford, Maydelle (Gene) Kronback, Clarice (Tom) Kappes, Kristin (John) Hansen as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, son Kyle, parents Harvey and Inga Erickson, parents-in-law Richard and Ruth Rongstad, brother Marlow as well as sister-in-law Twyla Hungerford, and niece Leah (Kappes) Carlson.  Blessed be his memory.

The Erickson family would like to give a sincere thank you to Field Crest Care Center and Czaplewski Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 20, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 104 1st St SE in Hayfield, MN with Reverend Kristen Anderson officiating.  Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 501 2nd St NW in Hayfield, MN and one hour prior to his service at the church.  Inurnment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield, MN.