Lennard Erickson

Lennard F. Erickson, age 94, of Blomkest, died Tuesday morning, August 7, at Bethesda Pleasant View Nursing Home.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 11, at the Blomkest Baptist Church. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, August 10, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Blomkest Baptist Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Willmar American Legion and V.F.W. Posts.
Lennard Frederick Erickson was born on August 23, 1917, on the family farm near Niobe, North Dakota, the son of Fred and Gertrude (Strand) Erickson. He was baptized at an early age and followed the Lord his entire life. He grew up and received his education in the rural Niobe community. After 8th grade he returned to work on the family farm and during the 1930's, worked with the CCC in North Dakota. In 1937, Lennard moved to Blomkest. He attended Auto Body School in Kansas and began employment at Minar Rodelius Ford in Willmar as a body repairman. In 1941, Lennard was called to duty and served in the U.S. Army, 6th Division Rangers as a sniper in New Guinea and the Southern Philippines. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal. In the 1980's, Lennard was later recognized by the Philippine government for his bravery in rescuing POW's during W.W. II.
On June 25, 1946, in Blomkest, Lennard was united in marriage to Virginia D. Johnson. They made their home in the Blomkest community where he and his brother, Ted, founded the Blomkest Body Shop, retiring in 1980. Lennard also worked as a rural mail carrier for over 39 years, retiring in 1986. At the age of 77, Lennard earned his GED. He was the first City Clerk in Blomkest and also held other various positions in city offices. Lennard sang in a barbershop quartet for many years. He was a foster grandparent in the Willmar School District until age 90.
He was an active member of the Blomkest Baptist Church serving as a Trustee, Deacon and Sunday school teacher. He was also a member of the V.F.W. Post, the Gideons and the prison ministry program. Lennard was very active in mission work, volunteering with Wycliff Bible Translators in Arizona and Mexico, Global Missions in Ecuador and Youth With A Mission in Hawaii. He was also a volunteer with the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and Blomkest Fire Department.
He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Virginia; his three children, Wayne (and Michele) Erickson of St. Louis, Missouri, LuAnn Freiermuth of Cromwell, and Leland (and Linnea) Erickson of Willmar; nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Also surviving is one brother, John Erickson of Edina; two sisters, Dorothy Anderson of New Brighton and Doris (and Arnold) Lindberg of New Brighton; and a sister-in-law, Gladys Erickson of Willmar, besides other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Theodore; a brother-in-law, Dwight Anderson; and a sister-in-law, Marilyn Erickson.