Jack Erickson, 82, of Cumberland

Celebration of Life Visitation: Will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at the Cumberland Community Building in Cumberland from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Lamb Funeral Home in Massena is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com. 

Memorials: To Jack Erickson Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date. 

Jackie Lee Erickson was born April 30, 1942, and went to be with the Lord August 14, 2024 at the age of 82. 

Jack was born in rural Cass County Iowa to Cecil and Emma Lou (Liston) Erickson. When Jack was around 4 years old the family moved by horse and wagon to settle at the home place south of Cumberland, Iowa. This is where Jack would spend his childhood and grew up attending the Mayflower Country School. Jack graduated from C&M High School in 1960. 

After graduating from high school, Jack worked alongside Cecil on the family farm. Jack was a farmer from the day he was born. He was always found outside working on something or helping with the animals. 

Jack married Carolyn Bakerink and to this union four kids were born. They welcomed their first daughter Gina in 1961. Then in 1962 a second daughter, Peg, was born. In 1967 Patrick, a son, joined the family. The third daughter, Nichole, was born in 1976. 

Jack then married Janet in 1985 and to this union Travis was born in 1986. Jack also gained a daughter Lisa. 

Jack spent most of his time farming. He was a row crop farmer that also raised hogs and cattle. In the early 1990’s Jack and Janet focused more on cattle and row crop farming. Jack enlisted the help of Patrick after graduating high school and formed J&P Erickson Farms. When Travis graduated high school, he went to help on the family farm alongside Jack. Jack, Patrick, and Travis worked with each other through the demanding schedules of planting, harvest, and calving season. Each year after completion of the harvest Jack would beam with pride at the work the family had accomplished together. Jack worked on the family farm up until the beginning of 2024 with both of his sons. 

Jack was an avid hunter who enjoyed hunting anything from deer, turkey, and ducks. Usually, the first weekend in December was spent with Pat, Travis, as well as other friends and relatives hunting deer. Jack was also an avid trapper, he passed this passion along to his children. Today several family members continue the family tradition of trapping. Each of them passing along the life lessons that were taught to them by Jack. Jack was a history enthusiast and enjoyed reading information about different historical events. Jack could also remember the early days of Edna Township and Reno where he would share stories about the unbelievable times he experienced as a child. Jack was a friend to all who will be dearly missed by his family and many friends. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Janet Erickson of Cumberland; his six children, Gina Pickrell and husband Virgil of Pearidge, Arkansas, Peg Schrier and husband Daryl of Cumberland, Patrick Erickson of Cumberland, Nikki Unger and husband James of Oberlin, Ohio, Lisa Piskorski and husband John of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Travis Erickson and wife Jena of Cumberland; sixteen grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; sister, Marian Stewart of Cumberland; other relatives and friends. 

Jack is preceded in death by his parents Emma Lou and Cecil Erickson, his in laws Darrell and Eleanor Smith, and good friend Vernon Ihnen.