Donal Carl Erikson

Donal Carl Erikson, 78, a lifelong resident of the Alma, KS area, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at the Alma Manor. He was born January 28, 1931 in the Kuenzli Creek Community east of Alma, the son of Carl John and Hulda (Hafenstein) Erikson. Donal attended area rural grade schools and graduated from Alma High School in 1949. He enlisted in the US Army and served in Manheim, Germany from May 25, 1954 to May 3, 1956. He also served in the US Army Reserves, attaining the rank of First Sergeant, before retiring after 20 years of service in 1991. Donal married Mavis L. Mathies on December 30, 1956 at Trinity Lutheran Church of McFarland, KS. She preceded him in death on May 18, 2006. Donal worked for the City of Wamego, the Wabaunsee County Weed Dept, the Farmers Union Coop and for the Alma Gas & Equipment-Skelgas. He retired in 1993. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling. In his retirement years he became a master woodworker, and also enjoyed visiting with his friends at the coffee shop almost every day. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church of Alma, served as a board member of St. John Lutheran School for several years, and was a church Elder. He also volunteered as a Boy Scout leader and was a member of the American Legion Ed Palenske Post of Alma, where he was the Commander for one year. Survivors include: his daughter, Elaine Deiter and her husband Dan, of Alma, KS; three sons, Bruce Erikson and his wife Pat, of McFarland, KS, Michael Erikson of Alma, KS, Duane Erikson and his wife Dawn, of Alma, KS; one sister, Elouise Martin and her husband Paul, of Topeka, KS; 8 grandchildren, Jack (Deirdre) Deiter, Lindsey Deiter, Lisa (Tony) Flerlage, Kim, John, Parker and Elizabeth Erikson, Brandon Buchanan, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 12, 2009 at St. John Lutheran Church of Alma. Mr. Erikson will lie in-state at the Stewart Funeral Home of Alma beginning at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, where the family will gather and greet friends during a visitation from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. Burial will be in McFarland Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the St. John Lutheran Church, or, to St. John Lutheran School, and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home of Alma, P.O. Box 126, 66401.