Erik Eriksen

September 03, 1938 — May 06, 2024

Erik Eriksen

Service Details

Erik Eriksen, 85, passed away on May 6, 2024, at Ramsey Village in Des Moines.

Erik was born on September 3, 1938, to Homer and Beulah (Hett) Eriksen in North Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up in Humboldt, Iowa. He later moved to Cedar Falls where he had attended and graduated high school and attended Iowa State Teacher’s College (UNI). He also attended the University of Iowa where he received his Master’s in Education. Erik spent most of his career working for the Iowa Department of Education, retiring in 2000. After retiring from the State of Iowa, he worked for AEA Education Agency in the area.

Erik’s life passion was music, from singing to directing. Throughout his life he sang with a local Barbershop Quartet, the Des Moines Choral Society, and Drake University Community Chorus. Erik directed many choirs, including the Des Moines Barbershop Chorus, the Des Moines Sweet Adeline Chorus and several church choirs in the Des Moines area. Erik also participated with several local Community Theaters.

Erik enjoyed continued involvement in music, travel, yard projects, raising bees with his wife and tinkering-in-the-garage in his retirement years.

Erik is survived by his wife, Jolene; his son, Scott (Marcie) Eriksen; his daughter, Wendy (Jeff) Turek; his step-son, Joe (Jennifer) White; his step-daughter, Karen White; his sister, Carol Vaughn; his grandchildren, Meredith Smith, Maddie Mechaelsen, Emma Turek, Hannah Turek, and Tessa Turek; his step-grandchildren, Lexi White, Zoe Dougherty, Ayden White, Owen White, and Jackson White; and 5 great-grandsons.

Erik is preceded in death by both of his parents; his sister, Sharon Gilbert; and his step-great-granddaughter, Celeste Hayden.

A Celebration of Erik’s life will be scheduled at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Hope Ministries, a ministry that was very special to both Erik and Jolene.

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