Francis Dean Erickson

MONONA - Francis Dean Erickson, age 89, of Monona, passed away on Monday, April 5, 2021, at Heritage Monona. He was born on Oct. 17, 1931, in Springdale Township, Wis., the son of Martin Gerhardt and Clara (Knudtson) Erickson. Dean graduated from Central High School in 1950. He was united in marriage to Kathryn “Kay” Spatola on Sept. 6, 1952, in Madison, Wis. He worked as a route salesman for Frito Lay Inc., retiring in 1994. Dean was a family man who loved his family deeply. He was adventurous and enjoyed spending time camping at state parks around Wisconsin and taking trips with Kay to Arizona and Florida. Some of Dean’s other favorite destinations were Norway, Italy and the Netherlands. He was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader on the east side of Madison and loved taking scout trips to Castle Rock and Region 7 (Boundary Waters Canoe Area). Dean enjoyed biking on trails around Madison and finding the best burger joints on the route. He never missed a lutefisk and lefse dinner at Vermont Lutheran Church. Dean is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Kathryn; three sons, Dennis (Ana Turk) Erickson, Gary (Pat) Erickson and David (Kathi) Erickson; daughter, Lori (Mike) Grzenia; brother, Gordon (Jo) Erickson; two sisters, Charmane Silvera and Sharon (Leon) Oleston; three grandsons, Jesse (Shaynna) Erickson, Josh (Heather) Erickson and Nick (Hailey) Grzenia; five granddaughters, Emily (Adam) Erickson-Betz, Charlotte (Brandon) Eames, Cara (Nat Hanson) Erickson, Amy (Daniel Fitzgerald) Erickson, and Rachel (Scott) Grzenia-Franchi; and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Leni Erickson; and brother-in-law, Ed Silvera. A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 12, 2021. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, only 50 people are allowed into the funeral home at one time. Social distancing and face masks are required. Memorials may be gifted in Dean’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Hope Lutheran Church and Doctors Without Borders. Dean’s family wishes to thank Dr. Steve Siewert and the staff at Agrace HospiceCare, St. Mary’s Hospital, Dawn, Ellie and the staff at Capitol Lakes Health Care Center, and Heritage Memory Care for their compassionate care. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420