Junnell Verdayne Erickson was born September 17, 1933 in rural Winneshiek County Iowa near Mabel, Minnesota to Arnold and Evelyn (Hermanson) Erickson. He was the second of ten children.
Junnell attended country schools in Houston and Fillmore counties and worked as a Farm Laborer until joining the Army in April 1954. He served 2 years of active duty and four years inactive Reserve. His duty assignments included Fort Gordon, GA., Fort Polk, LA and The Presidio of San Francisco, CA. Junnell was a Military Police Officer and the majority of his active duty service was at his post in San Francisco.
Upon separation from the Army, Junnell returned to the Mabel area, where he worked various positions in farming for a short while before becoming employed by the Mabel Lumber Company. Junnell worked there for 25 years, until the business closed. Junnell was then employed by the Gjere construction company for another 12 years before full retirement
He married Martha Elaine Smith of Harmony, MN in October of 1956, and was widowed November, 1964. In September of 1975, he married Doris Amunrud (Patterson) and was again widowed in February, 1990.
In retirement Junnell was an avid baker. His table would always have a plate of cookies and bars for visitors to enjoy. When family came to visit, they always left with enough banana bread, cookies and other treats to last for several weeks. His health care professionals were also frequented with gifts from his oven.
Junnell passed away Sunday, March 8, 2015 at Green Lea Senior Living in Mabel at the age of 81.
He is survived by a son, Michael (Cheryl) Erickson of Manhattan, KS. Three daughters, Ruth Rolfses of Osage Iowa, Kathleen (Terry) Kimball of Burr Oak, IA and Jennifer Schriever of Radison WI. A Step Daughter Susanne (Terry) Torkelson of Mabel, MN. Three Step sons: David (Sue) Amunrud of Mabel, MN. William (Theresa) Amunrud of Spring Grove, MN and Mark (Jo) Amunrud of La Crescent, MN. Seventeen grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, a brother Dennis (Gloria) Erickson of Mabel, and a sister Darla (Bill) Mauer of Charles City, Iowa.
Junnell was preceded in death by his parents, a step son, Donnie Amunrud, two grandsons: Robert Erickson and PV2 Samuel Amunrud, Wives Martha and Doris and his companion Mavis Larson; Five brothers; Ardene, Larry, Llewellyn, Joseph and David, and two sisters Marie Muller and Patricia Rollins.
Memorial services will be 2 PM Sunday, March 15 at the Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel with the Rev. Elliott Malm officiating. Burial will be in the Mabel Lutheran Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are entrusted to the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel. |
