1934 - January 25, 2024

Elton Erickson

Elton died on Thursday, 25 January 2024. Graveside services will be held in Central City. Elton was born in Hordville in 1934 and grew up on a farm. Elton attended the University of Nebraska and Cal State Pomona.

He met his future bride at the Methodist Young Peoples’ Group in Grand Island. Elton was soon drafted for service in the Army with deployment to Germany. On return to the states, Elton and Nancy were married in Orange, California. Within a couple years, they returned to Central City where they made their home.

Elton grew seed corn, warehoused and distributed seed for O’s Gold, and hauled corn for Northrup King and Pioneer. He supplemented his farming with trucking in the winter – hauling pivot irrigation systems, fertilizer, lumber and corn. He was a partner in D & E Auto Sales and owned a car crushing business.

Elton was an active member at Grace Lutheran Church, serving on the council, ushering and reading sermons in the Pastor’s absence. He spent one winter helping build Grace’s fellowship hall, and he built a 28-foot metal cross and the metal letters identifying Grace on the front of the church. Elton assembled an extensive antique tractor collection, restoring several of them. He started the Lone Tree Antique Tractor Club, meeting monthly in his basement until they moved to Arizona. He enjoyed tractor drives across Nebraska, and helped build houses for migrants in Mexico.

He volunteered with Meals on Wheels, delivering food from the Senior Center and was a yearly volunteer at the Nebraska State Fair. Elton and Nancy enjoyed square dancing with the Shirts and Skirts and the Circle B clubs. They played cards monthly with friends over five decades. Elton sang in the Grand Island Interfaith Choir, the Lone Tree Chorus in Central City and a gospel music quartet. They attended state jamborees and traveled across the country as members of Good Sams Platte Valley Campers.

In retirement, Elton explored distant corners of the world, from landing on a remote Alaskan glacier, snorkeling off the Maui coast, climbing volcanic rocks of Hawaii, exploring the Mayan culture at the ruins of Tulum, visiting the farm of distant Swedish relatives, piloting a sailboat in New Zealand’s Auckland harbor, riding a camel and floating in a hot air balloon in Alice Springs. He traveled to farms in Brazil, France, Russia and South Africa to better understand the global economy.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy and his sons David (Chris) and Mike (Mary) and grandchildren Trinity, Romeo and Alexandria and his sister Joyce. Elton will be remembered at Sun Lakes (AZ) Lutheran Church.