David Dale Erickson

David Dale Erickson of Hibbing and Side Lake died peacefully surrounded by family on May 12, 2023 at Grand Itasca Hospital, Grand Rapids, MN. 

David Dale Erickson, often called Dale, was born April 5, 1936 to David and Catherine (Dennis) Erickson of Duluth, MN.  In 1954 he graduated from Duluth Central and in 1961 from the University of Minnesota Duluth.  He served as a medic in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1955 to 1957.  He taught and coached basketball from 1961 to 1963 at Floodwood, MN.  In 1967, he added a master's degree in history from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.  From 1963 to 1996, he taught history at Hibbing High School.  On July 8, 1972,  Dale married teaching colleague Nancy Hurley at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hibbing.  Between 1976 and 1982, they welcomed three children: Darren Albert, Luke Hurley, and Lara Katharine. 

Dale became a union leader serving as president of both the Hibbing Federation of Teachers and the Hibbing Education Association.  Teaming with Joseph Moren, he negotiated many teacher contracts and was elected as a Range representative to the MEA Board of Directors from 1990 to 1996.  Over the years, he enjoyed playing golf, attending hockey games, reading spy novels, guiding his children as they grew, and never turning down dessert. 

Dale is survived by his wife Nancy; two sons, Darren of Side Lake, MN and Luke (Johanna) of Raleigh, NC; daughter Lara (Matthew) Lutgen of Fargo, ND and bonus daughter Ana (Ed) McCracken of Ames, Iowa; grandson Tristan David of Raleigh, NC, and granddaughter Kayla Vivian of Fargo, ND; and one brother Dennis (Mary) Erickson of Centennial, CO.   Also, he is survived by nieces Dana (Tim) Rotter, Nissa Erickson, and Vivette Botner and nephews Jim (Alma) Borcuk, Steve (Kris) Borcuk, and Charles Botner. 

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, David and Catherine; his parents-in-law, Albert and Vivian Hurley;  brother and sister-in-law, Lou and Ann Borcuk, and sister-in-law, Irene Botner.   A Celebration of Life is being planned for July.