
Rest in the peace that comes through Jesus Christ.  



I want to express my sympathy to the daughters of Leighton Erickson, Anna Lisa, Alycia , and Iantha.  I remember Alycia very well as she was a student of mine when she was in third grade at Webster School in Watertown.  
  My thought and prayers go out to these wonderful daughters in this difficult time in your lives.  May the memories you have of both your parents sustain you.  I will be thinking of you.  
  Diane Fontaine



My deepest and most sincere sympathy are with you at this time.  I often think about our last visit to Austin, and how proud your dad was of the Lutheran Foundation and it's facilities.  He entertained us with his wonderful skills on the piano, somewhat easing the difficult time your mom was going through at the time.  His proudest moments were speaking of his family and great devotion to God.  He will be fondly remembered by me and all who knew him.



Leighton's heart was as big as his constant smile.

I had the privilege of knowing Leighton both through his professional development work and through our ongoing friendship that grew through years of singing in the choir and attending Early Service at the same Lutheran church. 

I especially remember the time a woman showed up at choir practice, looking for a pastor, needing cash to meet an emergency situation.  After the woman was told no pastor was available in the evenings and advised to return the next morning, most of us kept right on practicing the anthem for Sunday.  Not Leighton.

Leighton went out into the narthex with the woman and spent a good half hour listening to her story, counseling her, praying with her and sending her back out into the night knowing she had been blessed by being both seen and heard.  

When I asked him afterwards if he thought the woman's stated need was legitimate he told me that didn't matter nearly as much as the idea she had come into our church seeking help.  When I asked him if he had given her any of his own money he simply smiled and told me "God always provides".

God bless you Leighton Erickson.  May you and your beloved Hope rest in God's arms forever.  





Anna-Lisa, Alycia, and Iantha,

John and I are so sorry to read of your dad's illness and death. I so enjoyed getting to know your whole family when I worked with your mom in the G/T program in Watertown. Every Easter I display a large Ukranian goose egg your dad made and think of the Ericksons.  Both of your parents were so creative and likewise are all of you.

Know that you and your families are in our thoughts and prayers.

Chris Maas




Anna-Lisa, Alycia, and Iantha,
I have fond memories of you and your parents. In fact, I still have a recipe that I think Anna Lisa brought to share with the Foods class!
 
I am saddened by the deaths of your parents. They were such great intellects, and good Christian people.  I remember taking one of you home, and seeing the camper in the dirveway. You explained Mom was in there working on her Doctorate, I think.  She set the bar high for all of us.  She was very energetic and ambitious.

I am still involved at Immanuel Lutheran Church, serving as an Assisting Minister and on the Church Council. After 30+ years at Riverside, I retired to help my daughters care for their daughters. The girls are 2 and 1 and the cousins keep me hopping.  I am still very involved with youth in this community. I can't imagine my life without kids.

It is with fondness that I remember you all. Please know that you have my sincere sympathy at this time of loss. Your parents contributed much while on this earth, but have left you  way too soon.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

God bless you and your family.
Sue Putra



As a social worker at Bethesda Lutheran Home,  my office was next to Leighton's.  We became good friends, a friendship that was shared with Hope and with my husband, Bob.  Hope and Leighton were role models for many and their love for each other was easy to recognize.  We all knew the names of those three little girls because they were the focus of many conversations.  Our correspondence ended when his disease took over but, in my mind, I continued to write letters to him.  I was so proud to be called his friend.
                                                       Lois M. Liners



Dad, 
There are countless memories and no way to do justice to the wonderful unique person that God made you. As a young child I remember falling asleep at night listening to you practice amazing concert piano pieces. You and mom would take us out on camping/hiking/culture/learning adventures at every opportunity. Your's and mom's love for, and commitment to, each other is beautiful and an inspiration for all of us who knew you and are delighting in our own marriages. There was never a question of what we were doing on Sunday morning - faith was the foundation of everything and it has bound our family together through many challenges. Although my artistic skills are not worthy of public consumption, I'm blessed to have been introduced to such a diversity of artistic expression through your own exploration of mediums and styles. Our two-week-long games of Monopoly are such special memories for me. Although you were competitive, it was never about the game. Everything for you was about the people. Time with people, laughter with people, sharing tears with people. You lived in the moment and lived in relationship with others. No obstruction was too great to keep you from connecting or re-connecting with someone. As I continue to grow in my own identity and reflect on how you and mom shaped me, I come to appreciate all these qualities in you more and more. I pray that I may never become so caught up in living that I detach from the myriad of people that God brings into my life daily. Our lives are enriched from those connections.
Thank you dad. I miss you. I look forward to our reuniting.
Love, Iantha




I have so many good memories with dad. Camping, playing dominoes, watching Josh' soccer games, going to James' theater productions, buying ice cream together (our special time). I loved his humor, his devotion to God, his love for his family and his genuine caring for others. He never met a stranger and if you didn't know him when you got there he would know you before you left. His humor always made me laugh. His expressions were priceless, and his love for his daughters unending. A man I admired and loved. He welcomed me with open arms unconditionally. I couldn't have asked for more. Love you Dad.



Sue and my thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.  I will always remember the nice visits we had when he would stop by our house when he traveled through Iowa.
 



May God be with your family at this time.  Leighton was one of the first people I met when I started in the Development Department at Bethesda some 30 years ago.  He always had a way of bringing a smile to your face, and could cook some of the best Norwegian food!  My deepest sympathy.



My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.  Leighton hired me at Bethesda as an Assistant Development Director.  He was a great mentor and a cherished friend.  Leighton was a special friend to many people at Bethesda and we shall surely miss him.



Dear Girls and Family,

Thanks for sharing the photos with all of us.  It is good Leighton got to have some good times with the grandchildren.

Over our twelve years of working together and traveling the highways and byways of Texas, he often shared his thoughts regarding the three of you.  He was indeed an involved and loving father.  He was so proud of each of you and the families you gave him.

He also loved talking with seniors and sharing the work of our Lord.  The clients he served were better for the experience.  His work will live on for generations to come.  Blessings to each of you,  Jean Davis & LFSW Staff



During the years Leighton worked at Bethesda, he and I attend many of the same meetings and church conventions. We had many many wonderful conversations. Later when his daughters attended Valparaiso University, he and Hope visited in my home, and our friendship continued. He was a gifted person, and his love for people was always evident. I will be holding his family in prayer.



What an honor and a joy to be blessed to know and love such and kind and loving man.  Leighton was a wonderful father, devoted and loving husband and good friend.   You will be missed!  



I am grateful Eric shared some Saturday nights with us.  His wonderful smile and sweet demeanor brought joy to our praise and worship time.   Always a gentleman with a kind word.  I am honored to have known him and I am blessed to have Alycia and Judy in my life. God Bless you and Keep you.  



I remember with great fondness our experience together at Holden Village...this is where we became friends...Leighton made a beautiful weaving.  I will miss him. 



I remember talking with Leighton about Concordia - it was such a comfort and so exciting for me.  He will be greatly missed.



I enjoyed sitting next to Leighton in church occassionally.  He always had an interesting story to share and was a joy to be around.



Wonderful photo and tribute! Thank you for sharing your forever love for your family and especially for your dad as I'll always remember him in the choir at Shepherd of the Hills. Peace.



I raise up your light, Mr. Erickson.  I will cherish the memory of meeting.  We met repeatedly although you did not recall.  I just adore that every time you would point out Alycia , saying with pride and love, "She's mine.".  My fondest memory was  way off script...when you stood up to hug Alycia on the midst of her ordination.  You brought tears to all that were privileged to see your light shine through and continue on through your daughter.  Thank you, Mr. Erickson, for being you and for sharing.


OBITUARY

Leighton Davis Erickson

June 14, 1942 – November 7, 2011

Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services

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