Richard E. "Dutch" Erickson

Richard E. "Dutch" Erickson, age 82, of Yankton, SD passed away Saturday, October 31, 2015 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Yankton, with Rev. Dave Wildermuth officiating. Burial will be approximately 3:30 PM Wednesday afternoon at Bluff View Cemetery, Vermillion, SD with Military graveside rites by the Vermillion VFW Clay Post #3061 and the SDARNG Honor Guard. Visitations will begin at 5 PM, Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a prayer service and memory sharing at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.

Pallbearers will be Trey Erickson, Hannah Erickson, Scott Erickson, MaryChar Bertsch, Nate Bertsch, Sonja Kraft, Mitch Kraft, and Evelyn Erickson. Honorary pallbearers are all of Dutch's former athletes.

Dutch, born on the family farm in Vermillion, SD, was the youngest of 10 children to John E. and Anna Margaret (Hansen) Erickson. He attended Vermillion High School where we was active in football, track, baseball and was an All-State basketball player. He and his future wife, Charlotte (Ahlgrim) Erickson were Homecoming King and Queen in 1950.

Dutch enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1952 and served in Korea. Charlotte and Dutch wrote each other letters during Dutch's time in the service and began dating when he returned. In 1955, Dutch attended Hastings College on a football and basketball scholarship. On June 22, 1955 Dutch married the love of his life Charlotte and they moved into their first home together in Hastings, NE. In July of 1957, Dutch and Char celebrated the birth of their first child, Richard II (Rich). During Dutch's time at Hastings College he was named Outstanding Lineman and "Who's Who on Campus." He graduated in 1958 with a degree in Education. .

Dutch began his professional career in Pender, NE where he spent five years serving as the Head Basketball Coach, Assistant Football Coach, acting Principal and Social Studies teacher. During their time in Pender, the couple celebrated the birth of their second son, Ronald, in 1958. In 1963, the family moved to South Sioux City, NE where he was the Head Basketball Coach and Guidance Counselor for 2 years. In 1965, Dutch began a 16 year coaching and teaching career at Sioux Falls College.

In 1980, he stepped out of the educational field and began working as an Area Representative for Great American Insurance. His interpersonal skills soon had him climbing the corporate ladder and he became the Senior Vice President of the International Crop & Hail Division in Overland Park, Kansas. During the Christmas of 1993, he retired from Great American and he and Charlotte moved to Yankton, SD where they lived together for 20 years. Dutch actively served as a member of The Morning Optimist Club, the Lancer Club, the Yankton Quarterback Club, the VFW and the Elks Club.

Dutch was an avid sports fan of high school and college sports. When he was not coaching he refereed many football and basketball games, and it was common to see him helping at local track events as well. He enjoyed supporting his son Ronald's high school basketball teams in South Dakota and Wyoming, and cheered on his grandchildren's many endeavors.

Dutch joins several family members in Heaven including his parents, John and Anna; his brothers, Sigward, John, Clarence & Melvin; his sisters Mildred, Anna Mae & Katherine.

Dutch is survived by his wife Charlotte; son Rich (Lynette) of Yankton; son Ron (Rhonda) of Douglas, WY; four grandchildren who held a special place in his heart, Trey (Hannah) Erickson of Sioux Falls, SD; Scott Erickson of Olympia, WA; MaryChar (Nate) Bertsch of Sioux Falls, SD, and Sonja (Mitch) Kraft of Colorado Springs, CO. He was survived by one Great Grandchild, Evelyn Lou, daughter of Trey & Hannah. Dutch is also survived by his brother Arthur of Salem, NY and Ernest of Gold River, CA. He is survived by many nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Memorials are directed to the Yankton Morning Optimist Club; PO Box 13; Yankton, SD 57078 or a charity of choice.