Penny Marie Erickson passed away July 11th, 2024, after over a year-long battle with Glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Most of Penny’s life has been spent with her husband, Jeff, and raising her family of three children; Amy, Mark, and Ryan.
Penny grew up in Roseau, MN alongside her brother, Rod Eastman. She was raised by Robert “Bob” and Bonita “Bonnie” Eastman. She enjoyed many hobbies growing up such as reading and riding her mini bike. What grew to be her biggest passion began when she (or actually her grandma Grace Hites!) won a pony named “Sam” at the county fair. This was the beginning of Penny’s lifelong love for horses and Sam was a pony that even her children would enjoy and show in his later pony-years.
On May 5th, 1984, Penny married the love of her life, Jeff Erickson. They loved building their life together and eventually moved to their current farmstead just on the edge of Malung township where they raised their family. Penny and Jeff valued giving their children the experiences they never had themselves by encouraging them in the world of sports, motocross and horseback riding. They lived their lives for their children and their children’s children.
One of the joys for Penny was her 35-year career working at Polaris. She worked many positions during her time there going from the assembly line all the way to her last position as a financial analyst. After being presented with an opportunity to retire she went for it in hopes of beginning her full-time season as “grandma” and the best farmhand a farmer could ask for. Near the end of her career, she would frequently say her favorite parts were getting to work with Teams and with her son who currently works at Polaris, Ryan. She’s even been affectionately called “Work Mom” by her younger teammates.
Penny gained much of her horse knowledge from reading books as a kid – she loved to read. She then shared that knowledge and love for horses with not just Amy, but so many more! Penny was the 4H Horse Project leader in Roseau County and also worked with the Knowledge Bowl, Hippology and Drill Teams. She was blessed with the fellowship and friendship of so many involved horse parents. When asked just a couple weeks ago if she regretted all the busyness and work put into showing horses, Penny replied, “No! I loved it.”
Penny and her brother Rod lost their mom to a battle with Alzheimer’s when she was only 57 years old. This prompted mom to live “life to the full” and to “go on the trip” even before retirement. She had an amazing bunch of adventurous friends and the motto, “Things you want to do – GO DO THEM!!!”. She seized the moment with her family and friends; and anyone who has been on a “Penny trip” knows this! She did all-the-things and tried not to miss a single moment.
Penny is survived by her husband Jeff; and her children and their families: Amy (daughter) & Leonard Will; Eli, Weston, Curtis and Sawyer; Mark (son) and Danielle Erickson, Ravi; Ryan (son) and Heidi Erickson, Ezra.
Penny was preceded in death by her mother Bonnie Eastman and Father Bob Eastman.
A memorial service for Penny Erickson of Roseau will take place on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at Helgeson Funeral Home of Roseau at 2:00 pm with a visitation an hour prior. A visitation will also take place the night prior at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau from 5:00 – 7:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm.
Last modified: 07/16/2024
