Kenneth W. "Little Man," "Knute," "Pops" and "Daddy" Erickson, 85, of Duluth and formerly of Cloquet, passed away Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth. He was born Sept. 3, 1937, in Cloquet to William and Marie Erickson. He was raised in Cloquet and graduated from Cloquet High School in 1955. He attended the University of Minnesota Duluth, graduating with a degree in economics. Ken married Corrine Eleanor Wick in March of 1960; they divorced in 1979.

Ken worked, from childhood until retiring in 1998, at Erickson's Dairy, a family-owned business started by his great-grandparents Olaf and Maude Erickson in 1901. He spent his years retired, not being retired! Ken worked in the Duluth area school district driving bus and at Cirrus Aircraft as an exhibit specialist.

He was a lifelong Catholic, serving his faith at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Cloquet and later St. Mary Star of the Sea in Duluth. Ken joined the U.S. Navy in 1954, retiring in 1997 after serving 43 years.

Kenny loved aviation. He obtained his pilot's license in 1964 and maintained his license throughout his active life. His love for the sky translated to the road as a lifelong motorcyclist. IF YOU KNEW KENNETH, YOU KNEW – KNUTE!

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Marie Erickson; grandson Kevin Liebeck; and brother-in-law Kenneth Shaw.

Kenneth will be deeply missed by his children Randolph Erickson, Darrell Erickson, Russell (Tammy Bishop) Erickson, Angela Hagen, Jennifer Oeffling and Stephanie Hendricks; 11 grandchildren, Mahaila Hole, Ashley Shepherd, Jenny (Ryan) Colt, Taylor (Drew) Wischnewski, Landen (Kelsey) Straub, Brandt (Megan Waller) Straub, Ari Straub, Turner Oeffling, Dina Oeffling, Talan Oeffling and Jenna Hendricks; four great-grandchildren, Shane Lavamaki, Jasmin Lavamaki, Mekaila Colt and Presley Wischnewski, and baby boy Straub due in November; sisters Jeanie (Ron) Johnson of Fort Myers, Florida, Barbara Shaw of Fort Myers, and Linda Erickson of St. Paul; brother Robert (Deb) Erickson of Cloquet; nine nieces and nephews; and many friends.

A Gathering of Friends and Family will be held on Friday, October 7, 2022 from 1 to 4 p.m. with a luncheon in Atkins Northland Funeral Home Fireside Room, 801 14th Street, Cloquet. A Memorial Service will be held at 4 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Inurnment will be in New Calvary Cemetery in Cloquet at 5 p.m. with Military Honors accorded by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard. To sign the guestbook and leave an online tribute see http://www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.

Detour: Due to construction on 14th Street, please use the temporary back entrance off 12th Street; access from Doddridge Avenue.