Ottis Robert Erickson

As a young boy Ottis grew up on the family dairy farm near Deer Lake in Polk County Wisconsin, starting school in a one room school house near the farm. In 1943 WWII was going strong and Ottis was not happy being deferred from the service to work on the family farm and persuaded his father to sign a release that allowed him to join the Merchant Marine. He was trained at Sheepshead Bay, New York and served in the Stewards Department as a Steward and Cook, later being promoted to Chief Cook. During his service he was assigned to the S.S. John S. Pillsbury, S.S. Morning Light, S.S. Dartmouth and the S.S. Marine Shark. His travels took him to the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Pacific Islands, Saipan and Okinawa. After completing his service in the Merchant Marine he returned to civilian life, working for his Uncle Herbert Bloomdahl as a carpenter. After three years as a carpenter he went to work for Adolfson and Peterson, General Contractors as a Forman, later being promoted to General Superintendent and was responsible for the construction of many schools, churches, high rise and factory buildings, that included the first two Target Stores. In 1970 the company sent him to run a satellite company of Adolfson Peterson International in Orlando, Florida where he worked until retirement.

Ottis joined the Masonic Fraternity in 1956 as a member of Lodge #321 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota. Upon moving to Orlando, Florida he joined South Seminole Lodge #364 and served as Worshipful Master in 1983 and went on to become a member of Mokanna Lodge #329 and Winter Park Lodge #239. He served as Grand Tyler of the Grand Lodge of Florida and went on to serve as District Deputy Grand Master of the “Proud” 17th Masonic District in 2005. He was a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine with Bahia Chapter in Orlando, and the Past Masters Unit of Bahia Chapter later serving as President. Ottis was a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in the Valley of Orlando, and was coroneted a 33° Inspector General Honorary. He was a member of the Order of Eastern Star with Pioneer Chapter #99 in Winter Park, Florida, where he served twice as Worthy Patron, and in 1991 he was elected to serve as Worthy Grand Patron of the Florida Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star. He was also a member of the Chapter, Council and Commandry of The York Rite in Orlando, Florida and the National Sojourners Chapter 373, and the Heroes of 76.

His father Oscar E. Erickson, mother Esther, two sisters, Louise Lentz and Bernice Gilbertson and his grandson Elijah Tubb predeceased him. He is survived by his loving wife Dorothy (Dotte), daughters Christina Marquardt – Elk Grove, CA; Candice Lind – Hopkins, MN; son Robert (Barbara) Erickson – Anoka, MN; and daughters Sherry (Syd) Karnikis – Kasiloff, AK; Kathleen Richard – Calimesa, CA; sister Lila Ward – Amery, WI; and several Nieces, Nephews, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Great Great Grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Vitas Healthcare:

https://vitascommunityconnection.org/community-connection/donation-form

Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, Gotha, FL.