Elwood Erickson

ELWOOD ERICKSON

Elwood (Sonny) Clayton Erickson, 89, of Arvilla, ND died November 19, 2014 at the Parkview Health Nursing Home in Aneta, ND.
He was born on July 24, 1925 to Alfred and Marie Erickson. He was raised in the Mekinock Community where he attended school and was confirmed at Ness Lutheran Church.
In February, 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After his basic training in Texas, he was assigned to the Sixth Infantry Div. serving in the Philippines. In 1947, he was Honorably Discharged from the U. S. Army as a Tech 5 and was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal. August 14, 1948, he married E. Jane Berg. Together they had seven children, who were raised on the family farm near Arvilla, also known as the Turtle River Ranch. In the late 50’s he began producing RCA Rodeos on the home farm known as the Turtle River Rodeo. He also produced rodeos at the Grand Forks Fairgrounds, the Crookston Winter Show and UND. He was instrumental in the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred industries throughout North Dakota. He owned many famous horses including Tarzan, Brown Bomber, and Poco Spider. He built Turtle River Downs horse race track at Arvilla. Later he pursued his horse racing career in Canada before moving to West Virginia, where he raced at several tracks throughout the East Coast.
He is survived by his children: Barbie Erickson, Hillsboro, TX; Ross (Maureen) Erickson, Arvilla; Sharon Erickson, Studio City, CA; Merrie Lou Abney, Pleasant Plain, OH; Wayne Erickson, Thousand Oaks, CA; Miles (Carol) Erickson, Whitefish, MT; and Tom Erickson of Palmdale, CA. Sisters: Nadine Pistner, Grand Forks; Arlowyn Brown of Eureka, CA; and one brother: Floyd Erickson, Mesa, AZ; 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Marie Erickson; Jane Erickson; and brother Charles Erickson.

FUNERAL SERVICES will be held Monday, November 24, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Ness Lutheran Church, Mekinock, ND with VISITATION one hour prior to the service. INTERMENT will be immediately following the service in Ness Church Cemetery. MILITARY HONORS will be provided by the Ted Valerius Post 97 of the Larimore American Legion and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Team.