Elton Lee Erickson

University of Nebraska and Cal State Pomona.

He met his future bride at the Methodist Young Peoples’ Group in Grand Island, NE. 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, NE 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.

Elton died on Thursday, 25 January 2024. 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. Graveside services will be held

in Central City, NE.