Lennis Erickson, age 74, passed away suddenly on August 14, 2021 on the family farm to which he'd dedicated his life.

Memorial Services for Lennis will be on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Reeder.  Deb Molbert will officiate the services.  There will be a family and friends service for Lennis on Friday evening at 7:00pm at the funeral home chapel.

He was born on June 7, 1947 in Hettinger, ND, the middle child and only son of Leonard and Esther (Schwarzwalter) Erickson.  He attended 1 st -8 th grade at the country school west of the farm. He graduated from Reeder High School in May 1965 and married his high school sweetheart, Linda Hofland, on August 21, 1965. Lennis and Linda made their home at the Erickson farm in 1965 and were inseparable for 56 years. He loved and was so proud of the family they raised together: Robbie (Carmen) Erickson grandchildren: Michaela (Alex) Anderson; Emily Erickson; Hayden Erickson. Wendy (Rich) Pecoraro and grandchildren: Adam Enerson; Alex (Angela) Enerson [great-grandchildren [Abby and Xander Enerson]; Heather (Kevin) Franz; Allison Pecoraro. Kristi (Danny) Enerson and grandchildren: Mitchell  Enerson; Payton Enerson.

Anyone who knew him witnessed him excel at farming and, in his younger years, raising animals. He was quick to assist neighbors, friends, and family. He could fix anything or, so his sons-in-law have been told! For a number of years, he and his Uncle (and one of his best friends) Elvin Schwarzwalter, managed a combining crew they sent south to Kansas and Nebraska before returning home. Harvest hasn't been as entertaining since. Lennis was a pilot and, when he owned it, loved to be up in his blue and white Cessna. He enjoyed picking rock from his fields, driving the land, and finding his next project. He didn't have an appreciation for rest and relaxation. He adored his grandchildren and spent time building snow forts, sharing ice cream sandwiches, painting their names on a go-cart he bought them, and teaching them to drive.

One of his life goals was to acquire most of the original land his grandfather, J.J. Schwarzwalter, homesteaded, and he did just that. He knew every detail about all of the land he so loved, and he enjoyed telling the history of it. He was a great man who created a legacy of love, commitment, and a strong work ethic. His absence is inconceivable, but to those whom God has called home, who are we to say, "stay?"

Preceded in Death: parents Esther and Leonard Erickson; father and mother-in-law Silas and Joean Hofland; brother in-law Carlo Ramsey; sister in-law Terri Hofland

Surviving siblings: Twilla (Lynn) Honeyman; Betty Ramsey; Sharon (Bob) Mitchell; Sandra (Raney) Felt; Lori (Dale) Andersen; Gale (Sandi) Hofland; Gary (Paula) Hofland and many beloved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of plants, please send donations to the following, in memory of Lennis Erickson:

Farm Rescue: https://farmrescue.org/

or

Ludlow Volunteer Fire Department

Attn: Bryn Brown, Secretary

11401 Hwy 85

Buffalo, SD  57720

If anyone is in need of help, call the Farm and Rural Stress Hotline at 1-800-691-4336