Elwood Alfred "Woody" Erickson

ISSOULA – Elwood A. "Woody" Erickson, 86, passed peacefully March 3, 2013, at the Village Health Care Center. He was born into a proud Norwegian heritage May 25, 1927, to Alfred and Anna (Torgrimson) Erickson in Billings, where he was raised and attended school.

Some of his fondest memories were working on the Duffy ranch in Big Timber. Legend has it he would leave home the day school let out and return the day before classes began. Woody played varsity football all four years at Billings Senior High and was an All-State lineman his junior and senior year. He was a member of the high school band and orchestra playing the trumpet.

He enlisted at the age of 17 in the Marine Corps in January of 1945. The next three years he served in the Pacific Theater and served proudly. Upon his discharge, Woody attended Eastern Montana College in Billings and received a two-year pre-business certificate and had the chance of meeting Joanne, his future bride.

The Marine Corps recalled him for active duty and deployed him to Korea in March, 1951. He and Jo corresponded through letters, getting to know each other, building the future foundation for their life together. Woody told many stories of the six months he spent near the 39th parallel prior to being severely injured by a mortar shell in the Wonju area. Most of his 18 months of recovery and rehab were spent at the Naval Hospital on Mare Island, Calif. While there he made many lifelong friends. His signature limp was evidence of the pain he was proud to endure in memory of the Marines who were not so fortunate to return from the Asian conflict.

After his honorable discharge in 1952, Woody married Joanne Theresa Driscoll of Butte on July 26 in the Bay City of San Francisco. The newlyweds returned to Missoula that fall where he continued his education at the University of Montana and received his B.S. in business administration. Their first child, Don, was born June 1953, and their daughter Connie followed in December of 1954. Woody earned his secondary teaching certificate in 1957, master's degree in 1968 and a principal's certificate in 1970.

Woody's teaching career started in the fall of 1957 at Florence Grade School, transferring to Florence-Carlton High School in 1959, where he was a teacher and coach. It was during this time that their twin girls, Patty and Kathy, were born in October 1959.

In the summer of 1962 he moved the family back to Missoula, teaching and coaching for School District 1 at Paxson Elementary. Math and history – particularly Montana history – were his favorite subjects.

In 1972 he moved his family to Thompson Falls, where Woody and Jo owned the Thompson Falls Building Supply Co. The economy and the love for Missoula brought Woody and Jo back to the Garden City, where he worked doing construction, drafting and design work prior to being employed at Ironwood Manufacturing.

There was little he did not know about the great state of Montana from traveling to its many historical sites. He never stopped learning. Woody was an accomplished pen and ink artist, and his work always included an old barn or farm structure he had seen on one of his trips around the state. For many years, family and friends looked forward to his art on the yearly Christmas card. In his retirement, Woody took to carving miniature birds and fish. His ducks were no decoys, but his fish were eerily realistic.

Dad's retirement summers were spent tinkering at his cabin in Trout Creek and winters traveling with Jo to visit family and friends in California.

In September 2009, Woody made the Village Health Care his home, where he met Jackie McDonald, his constant loving partner who was with him to the end. They truly enjoyed each other's company. Their room showcased the pictures and photos of family and the fond memories they made together. We will be forever grateful the good Lord brought them together.

Woody was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Jo, in 2005; his mother, father and brother Donald; as well as his only son Don, who was taken by cancer in May 1984.

Woody is survived by his daughters, Connie (Tom) Doherty of Missoula, Patty (Dennis) Ryan of Spokane and Kathy (Randy) Olson of Thompson Falls. He will also be sadly missed by his grandchildren Erin, Carragh, Nick and Brian Doherty; Chris and Andy Olson; Woody and Elyse Ryan, and their spouses; and his 12 great-grandchildren.

Dad's wishes were to be cremated and he requested no services at this time. A celebration of his life will be held later this summer at the family's cabin in Trout Creek. We suggest any memorials be sent to the charity of your choice. We miss and love you, Dad.

Read Elwood Erickson's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.