Timothy W. Erickson

Timothy “Tim” Erickson, passed away Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr. Per Dad’s request there will be no visitation or funeral. A private graveside service for immediate family will be held at the Lorimor Cemetery. Memorials may be kindly made to the family to be determined. Online condolences may be left at powersfh.com.

Timothy Wayne Erickson was born April 25, 1948, to Alma Marie Erickson (Lilie) and John Wayne Erickson of Lorimor. He was the youngest of three children. Tim grew up farming and continued to farm in rural Lorimor most of his life. Tim served in the United States National Guard in the early 1970s.

On July 29, 1973, he was united in marriage to Cheryl Jean Wheeldon. Together, they built their farm and family east of Lorimor. Tim and Cheryl welcomed three children into their lives: Candace Renee (Jeremy) Kerrigan, Lindsay Ann (Carl) Eklund and Matthew Wayne (Deb) Erickson. He later became grandpa to five grandchildren: Tate and Chloe Kerrigan and Cale, Ivy and Coy Eklund.

Tim was born to be a farmer and had a passion for the land. He, Cheryl and the kids worked hard on their family farm. They farrowed sows in the old barn and huts in the pasture for many years. They would also make family trips to the Dyersville sale barn to buy Holstein bucket calves to feed.

In 1998, he and Cheryl built a four-building nursery pig operation on their farm. The farm kept him busy, and he was usually seen driving a tractor of some sort. His top choice was always red, but he also had John Deere and late in life, New Holland. He was very proud of his toy tractor collection which he had on display in the old farmhouse. The last few years he shared some of his collection with the grandkids. They would usually leave with a tractor after they had stopped to visit.

He enjoyed putting up hay, but his favorite was always harvest season, especially in the years he farmed with is his son Matthew. He took pride in his cattle and would make daily trips to the pasture to watch, feed and count his cows.

When not farming, he could be found sitting in his chair watching the History Channel and reading books about WWI and WWII. For many years during his time in the house you could find him late at night watching the sitcom, “M*A*S*H”. He also took a big interest in helping the kids with their science fair projects at school.

He was known for having the biggest sweet tooth. When the girls were younger, making dad a chocolate malt before bed was a nightly routine. He also had them trained to make his favorite chocolate chip cookie but with only two chips on top. As the grandkids got older, they quickly learned if you are going to visit Grandpa you need to bring sweets.

When the kids became old enough for 4-H, he and Cheryl joined a couple of other sets of parents and became leaders of the New Hope Boosters 4-H Club. The kids would show cattle and pigs for many years at the fair. He loved the Union County Fair and served on the fair board for 20-plus years. His favorite part was helping with the night events, especially using his skid steer to pull demo cars out of the arena or visiting with the cowboys after helping with slack.

While on the fair board he made many friendships and created great memories. The old county fair always held a special place in his heart.

Camping at the Iowa State Fair was something that he started when the kids were little. Corn dogs and browsing farm machinery were highlights he enjoyed every year. This became a tradition all the kids and grandkids continue.

Late in life, Tim and Cheryl built a pond that the kids used as a campground for family and friends. For many years the campground was a popular place for anyone who knew the family. Many Fourth of July celebrations took place at the pond. Every morning he was up bright and early cruising the campground on his four-wheeler for whoever was up cooking breakfast and willing to visit.

He leaves behind his wife Cheryl; daughters, Candace (Jeremy) Kerrigan and Lindsay (Carl) Eklund; daughter-in-law Debbie Erickson; grandchildren: Tate and Chloe Kerrigan and Cale (Noelle), Ivy (Carter) and Coy Eklund and brother John Erickson.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Alma and Wayne; sister Kathy and son Matthew in 2022.