Dennis Lee Erickson, 73, of Vida died May 19, 2026.
He was born in Wolf Point to Kermit and Della (Sandburg) Erickson on Sept. 27, 1952. He joined two older sisters, Diana and Pauline, and they were later joined by another sister, Darla. He grew up in Vida.
From an early age, his love of sports was evident. Basketball and baseball began for him during his elementary years. While he would practice and shoot around at the Vida school gym, his cousin Rocky Erickson would record play-by-play in his tape recorder. After completing his eighth-grade year at Vida Elementary, he continued his schooling at Circle High School. While in Circle, he participated in football, basketball and track. His competitiveness and his desire to do the best he could afforded him the opportunity to continue playing basketball on a college level. After graduating from high school in 1971, he went to Dawson Community College to play basketball and the next year he went on to play at Havre.
In 1973, a plane crash left his dad injured, so he returned to take over the family farm. Shortly after returning, he and Marlys Gackle, his high school sweetheart, were married on Nov. 17, 1973. They began their life together in Vida and would make it their home for the 52 years that they were married. They had a son, Brady, in 1975 and a daughter, Brielle, in 1979. Over the years, time was set aside for family trips to various places around the country.
He loved farming and seeing the crops grow. He kept a close eye on their progress and would often drive around to check on them. He was joined in farming by Brady full time after he graduated from college.
He still made time for sports. He coached Vida basketball teams, participated in softball and drove the Circle bus for athletic and extracurricular events. Cheering for his own children as they competed and eventually supporting his grandchildren in all their endeavors brought a new meaning to his love of sports and school activities.
He enjoyed following the
