Leonard J. Erickson

Leonard J. Erickson

ESCANABA — Leonard J. Erickson, 92, a resident of Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2025, at OSF St. Francis Hospital, with loved ones at his side.

“Len,” as he was known to his friends, was born December 30, 1932, in Bark River, Mich. to parents Algot and Ruth (Peterson) Erickson. He was raised in Bark River until his family permanently moved to Harris, Mich. in 1946 after his father bought the Erickson’s Grocery Store and Post Office.

Following graduation from Bark River-Harris high school in 1950, Len enlisted in the Navy in March of 1951 during the Korean War. Len became an Aviation Structural Mechanic and was stationed at various locations around the world over the next four years. On one of Len’s visits home, his uncle Roland Peterson shared the gospel with him and he decided to follow Christ. This spiritual decision immediately changed Len’s behavior and guided the choices he made throughout his life.

After Len’s honorable discharge in 1955, he and his sister Evelyn Gagne worked together to reopen a church they had attended as children: the old Mission Covenant Church on South Bark River Road. That ministry, renamed the Bark River Bible Church, continues to thrive to this day.

In 1956 Len attended the Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music (GRSBM) in Grand Rapids, Mich. with the goal of becoming a pastor. While enrolled at GRSBM, Leonard often passed out gospel tracts near the Mel Trotter Mission, where he was eventually hired to work with homeless men who were seeking help. At one of the mission’s evening services, he met a beautiful young piano player named Donna Tuinstra. Len and Donna were married on August 15, 1958, and spent 65 years together until her death December 25, 2023.

After three years of Bible College, Len took a job at a lumberyard, then an airplane factory in Grand Rapids. His job at the lumberyard further sparked his interest in construction and he often studied carpentry books at night. In 1962, Len moved his family to Harris, Mich. where he pursued a career in carpentry. The many homes he built and remodeled are visual reminders to this day of his skill and work ethic.

In about 1974, Leonard became a horse enthusiast who believed “horses are the answer, no matter the question!” He bred, raised, trained, bought and sold an impressive number of horses and became known as a fair, honest and knowledgeable horse trader. When not on horseback, he could often be found in his home-operated business, The Tack Shack, swapping horse stories with long-standing customers, selling bridles and saddles, or working on leather-repair projects.

As a strong Christian and a natural salesman, he influenced many to follow Christ and was equally passionate about sharing the peace and joy that could be found on the back of a horse. He developed lasting friendships through this “ministry” as he hosted rides at his home, his hunting camp, and the Grand Island Trail, generously lending his own quality horses to others free of charge.

Len had a gift of hospitality, evidenced by the sheer number of visitors he attracted to his home in Harris, his Cedar Hill senior apartment in Bark River, and his room at the Bishop Noa Home. He often entertained family and friends with stories that revealed his sense of humor and amazing memory.

He was an active member of the Ford River Community Chapel for almost 50 years, serving as an elder and becoming a close friend, confidant and advisor to several pastors there. For many years he arrived early to hand out bulletins and warmly greet the congregants by name. He was a prayer warrior who was respected for his wisdom, his thorough knowledge of the Bible, his generosity and concern for those in need, and his unwavering support for those on the mission field.

His dedication to praying and studying the Bible continued when he became a resident at the Bishop Noa Home in May of 2023. He attended church services at the facility, “hosted” a Bible Study and Prayer Group, and encouraged other residents to attend both. He was a testimony to the staff and residents there, known for his patience, positive attitude, and gracious acceptance of his new home. He could often be found reading his Bible or listening to hymns in his room. The staff loved and spoiled him; he frequently declared that he “had it made” and was “treated like a king.”

Len was proud of his large family, often counting the days until they would gather together. Survivors include his six children, Lori (Tim) Portfleet of Pinehurst, N.C., Bryan (Tina) Erickson of Harris, Mich., Mary Beth (Paul) Frost of Superior, Wis., Janice (Greg) Jacobson of Watertown, Tenn., Steven (Nicole) Erickson of Burlington, Wis., and Kristi (Jim) Harrington of Ortonville, Mich.; 17 grandchildren, Jordan (Melissa) Portfleet, Danielle Portfleet, Alicia (Rob) Benson, Mitchell (Christina) Frost, Dominic (Helena) Frost, John Michael (Cheyenne) Wenick, Kristen (Shane) Meyers, Christina Wenick, Cody Wenick, AJ (Maggie Diges) Erickson, Tyler (Jennifer) Erickson, Ben Erickson, Gabe Erickson, Ann Marie Erickson, Ashley (Andrew) Waterhouse, Jonathon (Liz) Harrington, and Rylie Harrington; 24 great-grandchildren; sister, Evelyn Gagne; and many loved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Donna; sister, Julanne LeBoeuf; and grandson, Chad Wenick.

Visitation will be Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 11 a.m. until noon (EST) at the Ford River Community Chapel, 3103 M-35, Bark River, MI 49807. The funeral service will follow at noon with Pastor Jay Gilchrist officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow the mass.

Condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the Erickson family.