John Wagner Erickson
April 19, 1950 - January 26, 2019
Obituary
WAUKESHA-John Wagner Erickson, age 68, died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, of a brain tumor, which began in July 2018. John was born on April 19, 1950, in Racine, Wis. He was the youngest of five children of Robert Gordon and Louise Wagner Erickson. He attended Jerstad-Agerholm Elementary and Junior High School and graduated from William Horlick High School in 1968.
From 1979 until his retirement, he worked at Kenosha Auto Transport (later Jupiter Transportation), eventually rising to the position of Assistant to the President.
After his retirement, John moved to Waukesha, Wis., where he became a leader and mentor in Alcoholics Anonymous both statewide and nationally. He served as Sponsor for many people who were beginning their work with AA. He gave presentations and visited prisons to counsel people with alcohol or drug-related problems. Recently many of these cases involved opiate addiction.
John was always available to help family members and friends who were ill or needed help in any way. As a result of his generosity to these and the innumerable people he helped in AA, he was valued and loved by a large number of people. When he was ill and dying, he had a constant stream of visitors both in the hospital and later at Agrace HospiceCare.
John, more than anything, loved spending time at the family cottage in Door County. Here he was truly in his element, where he could enjoy water, sun, sailing and swimming. He worked out faithfully every morning, doing 5 miles on the treadmill at the Rec Center on Washington Island or the YMCA in Waukesha.
He is survived by his sister, Karin Ringler, of Madison, Wis.; his brothers, Dave Erickson, of Madison, Wis. and Jim Erickson, of Boulder, Colo.; and their children and grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at HOLY WISDOM MONASTERY, 4200 County Rd M, Middleton, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, and on Washington Island in the summer. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761
Events
Memorial Service
Sat Feb 23, 2019 @ 1:00 PM CDT
Holy Wisdom Monastery • 4200 County Rd. M, Middleton, WI null
Photos
Memories
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Colleen Murphy Miller
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So proud to call you my friend for over 50 years. The Island will not be the same without you there! So many fun times and wonderful memories. You enlightened me on so many things in life. I will miss you my dear West Harbor friend. With love, Colleen Murphy Miller
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Rich Dralle
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I knew John for seven and a half years. I always appreciated his wit and intelligence. He became a friend that I wanted to be around. I knew I could trust him being there for me, and I hope he felt the same way about me. I am just a few years younger than John so I just expected our friendship to go on for many years. I don’t understand it but God had another plan. Even though he is not around he will not be forgotten. I visited John a number of times in his last days. I tried my best to offer my strength and hope. I know he would do the same for me. I got a chance to meet some of John’s family. To them I wish you peace and serenity in this difficult time. Take care of one another. Love and peace, Rich D
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Tom Simanek
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Karin, Dave, and Jim; please accept my sympathy and condolences. The memories of John are too numerous to even begin to recount, and I won't. We all have them and they are all good. He and all of you will remain in my thoughts and prayers, always
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Gerald Hefferon
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It was a real shock to find out that John had passed away as he displayed such a will to live. I only knew him for a short time but he left a lasting impression with me. I graduated in 1960 from Park High in Racine which had a great rivalry with Horlick but also a common bond. He once mentioned visiting prisoners which I couldn't have imagined doing at the time? I have since thought about what a selfless way that is to show love for another human being. God works in mysterious ways and I think he may have been a messenger. Rest in peace John!
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Steve Enters
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I served with John in the fellowship. His sense of humor always lighted the mood. And he preferred to remain stoic during large gatherings to listen and not question state reports that could at times become, arduous? The grin was good go to. God love yeah John. A fellow traveler; Steve Enters
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Karen Kubiak
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May you, his family, be honored to know that so very many people have been touched by John's life, wisdom, friendship and service. He was dearly loved and is sorely missed. I was on my way to the funeral from Waukesha, WI, but the weather makes driving too treacherous. Would you please let me know if I might attend the Washington Island service this summer? My family owned a home just down the road from the Erickson lodge on Old West Harbor Road, and I go up to the island several times a year. My email is kubiak.karen@gmail.com. Many thanks, Karen Kubiak ************************************* THE SERENITY PRAYER (full version) God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen. — Reinhold Niebuhr