Dennis W. Erickson
June 22, 1939 — December 19, 2025
Dennis W. Erickson, 86, of Scandinavia, Wisconsin, passed peacefully on Dec. 19, 2025.
He was born June 22, 1939, in the Town of Harrison, to Ernest and Bernice (Loken) Erickson. Dennis grew up in the Iola and Scandinavia area. He was the second oldest of four children, his sisters, Diane and Jane, and brother, Terry. He graduated in 1957 from Scandinavia High School in Scandinavia.
On Dec. 5, 1959, Dennis married Shirley Snell, of Poy Sippi, Wisconsin. They resided in Scandinavia and raised their three sons, Scott, Steven, and Stuart.
For many years, Dennis drove a semi for his father’s trucking company, Ernest Erickson & Sons. He worked for Mercury Marine, driving OTR semi, and was a member of the Teamsters Union. A highlight of his return from trips to Florida included bags of oranges and grapefruit, and cheese curds from Zittau in Wisconsin. After retiring from Mercury Marine, Dennis worked for Trzebiatowski Farms. Over the many years of driving semi and traveling with Shirley, Dennis had been to all of the continental states and vacationed in Alaska.
Dennis was very social, enjoyed good conversation, and reminiscing of the past. He enjoyed having a blueberry pancake at Too-Dars Diner and a fish fry at Silver Lake Lanes. Dennis hosted the annual deer camp at “the shed”, a tradition that began in 1986. He was proud of his Norwegian heritage and attended many Lutefisk Suppers.
He was a member of the Iola Lions and Scandinavia Viking Snowmobile Club. Snowmobiling was the highlight of his winter, having taken many long trips with family and friends.
Dennis enjoyed listening to bluegrass music, watching westerns, and listening to Bob Uecker announce.
He loved sports. Dennis was very excited when the Brewers beat the Cubs in the playoffs this year. Being a die-hard Packers fan, he enjoyed going to games, having season tickets, and never missed watching a game.
Dennis was a dedicated Scandinavia Viking Baseball fan. When the Vikings won the Grand Championship in 1989, all three of his sons played; that season, they beat the Waupaca Lakemen three times, and Dennis thoroughly enjoyed those wins.
Through the years, Dennis and Shirley attended many athletic and music events in the Iola-Scandinavia School District. They were Iola-Scandinavia Thunderbird fans, watching their sons and grandchildren participate.
He was a proud husband, father, and grandfather. Dennis may not have told his sons directly, but he spoke often to others of his pride in their accomplishments. He was proud of their leadership, careers, and dedication to family. Dennis would do anything for his grandchildren; he loved spending time with them, hauling them to ball games, joking around, and asking, “Kan du snakke Norsk?” An annual shopping trip with his granddaughters for Shirley’s Christmas gifts was an important tradition.
Dennis is survived by his three sons, Scott (Jessica), Steven (Tiffany), and Stuart (Lynn); grandchildren, Ashley (Jason Berrens) Johnson, Meghan (Maxwell) Skyles, Brittney (Ryan) Langman, Tyler (Santos) Johnson, Alyssa (Jordan) Mortenson, Kendall (Kim Hallgren) Erickson, Spencer (Peyton) Erickson, Payton (Chad) Gunderson, and Autumn, Michael, and Sophia Wennesberg; great-grandchildren, Jayson, Brooklyn, Ryker, Devyn, Kade, Rhett, Jaxon, Ashlynn, Mercedes, Archer, Eli, Laiken, Hazel, and Axel; sisters, Diane Jacobson and Jane Jenson, and brother, Terry (Jane) Erickson. Dennis is also survived by other relatives and many friends.
Dennis was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Shirley; brothers-in-law, Marlyn Jacobson, Reuben Jenson, and Neil Peterson; parents, Ernest and Bernice Erickson.
The visitation for Dennis was held at the Voie Funeral Home in Iola on Tuesday, Dec. 23, followed by the funeral service at the funeral home. Rev. Mark Sabin officiated. Interment will be at Scandinavia Lutheran Cemetery.
Dennis’ family would like to extend their gratitude to Iola Ambulance, Scandinavia First Responders, and the medical staff at Aspirus Stevens Point.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Dennis’s name.
