Fred R. Erickson,75

Fred R. Erickson,75, died Saturday Nov. 4, 2006, at Brendan House Nursing Facility in Kalispell. He was born in Rolla, N.D., on Oct. 2, 1931, to Fred L. and Hertha (Banse) Erickson. The family moved to Chinook in 1944. Fred graduated from Chinook High School in 1950. In high school, Fred joined the National Guard and later graduated from Officers Training School with the rank of lieutenant.

He attended Northern Montana College in Havre and Kinman Business School in Spokane, Wash. In 1950, Fred went to work for The Continental Insurance Co. in the crop insurance division. Later he joined Crop Hail Management in Great Falls and in Kalispell, and traveled in 22 states. In 1981, Fred formed his own company, Western Crop Insurance, in Great Falls.

Fred and Billie Noyes Mortensen were married in Great Falls in 1959. They later divorced but got back together; Billie was a care-giver for Fred during his illnesses (congestive heart failure, diabetes and non-Hodgkins lymphoma).

Survivors include Keith and Donna Mortensen McKinney, Marysville, Wash.; John and Opal Mortensen, Shoshone, Idaho; F.R. "Rick" Erickson and Audrey McGinnis, Lolo and Kalispell; Daniel Erickson and his wife, Yeardley Smith, Pacific Palisades, Calif.; three grandchildren, Zachary Erickson and Donovan and April McKinney; two sisters, Lorraine Steinmetz, Cheyenne, Wyo.; Irma Jean Tweedy and husband, Bill, Cut Bank; one brother, J. R. "Roger" and wife, Bea Erickson, Havre; and several nieces and nephews.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Donald Erickson of Chinook.

Fred and his family enjoyed camping and fishing, touring Montana's old mining camps and panning for sapphires. One of Fred's joys was cooking, and he loved to fix the big meals on holidays, when he would make pecan pies and homemade rolls from his mother's recipe. Fred and Billie made candy for the Christmas season for many years. All the family looked forward to enjoying that.

The family thanks the doctors at Family Health Center and all of the very supportive staff at Brendan House, Dr. Bert Jones and nurse Patty, Dr. Boehme and his staff, Dr. Jon Johnson and Dr. Obermiller. Fred appreciated so much the care and the compassion that was given to him and to his family.

Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.