Gary Erickson

Gary V. Erickson, 72, of Stanhope, died Thursday, May 1, 2014 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at the Foster Chapel, with Pastor Mark Petrie officiating. Burial will be in the South Marion Cemetery, southwest of Stanhope, with military honors. Visitation will be at the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday and prior to the service on Tuesday. Gary Virgil Erickson, son of Virgil and Beverly Speck Erickson, was born August 12, 1941 at Webster City. He graduated from Stanhope Consolidated School in 1959. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Gary graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in farm operations. On September 14, 1968, he married Linda Sue Hostetler at Colo, Iowa. The couple farmed south of Stanhope for 46 years. He was also an active pork producer for many years. He is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters and sons-in-law, Suzanne and Douglas Sogard of Stanhope; Shelley and Alex Woodall of Kamrar; grandchildren, Michaela, Nathan, Katelyn and Landon Sogard; Jenna, Jessica and Jillian Woodall; brother, Larry (Judy) Erickson of Waukee; sisters, Charlotte Danet of Traverse City, MI; Nancy (Roger) Allen of Montezuma; several nieces and nephews. Gary was preceded in death by his parents. He was a member of the Stanhope Parish, a Clear Lake Township trustee, a member of the Hamilton County Pork Producers, and "The Office" coffee club.