Leslie 'Les' Wayne Erickson, 59

Leslie “Les” Wayne Erickson, 59, died suddenly Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011, at his residence in Columbia Falls.

Les was born Nov. 22, 1951, in Spokane, the son of Olaf and Julia (Rogers) Erickson, the youngest of nine children.

After graduating from Columbia Falls High School in 1970, he married Linda Cornell.

They moved to Mullan, Idaho, where he worked at the Sunshine Mine before returning to start their family and begin his years at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company.

Les enjoyed many of Montana’s outdoor activities, his dogs, flowers and being around his family and friends. His rock of fortune, given to him by his father from the mine, was always in his pocket.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Olaf and Julia; brother, John; sisters, Julia Weber, Eva Erickson and Mae Christensen; and a dear mother- in-law, Rena “Dee” Cornell.

 Les is survived by his children, Becky and Bryon Hoerner, Marci Erickson and Richard Thramer, and Travis and Autumn Erickson; all of Columbia Falls; his six grandchildren, Tanner, Colton, Justin, Jacob, Violet and Lilly; his brothers, Orlee Erickson of Columbia Falls, and Larry Erickson of Kalispell; and sisters, Bertha Watson of Kalispell, and Ellen Rickard of Kalispell.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at Columbia Mortuary, 1010 Fourth Ave. W., Columbia Falls. Interment will be private.

You are invited to go to www.columbiamortuary.com to offer condolences and view Leslie’s tribute wall.

Arrangements are entrusted to Columbia Mortuary.