Kenneth (Ken) Ericson

Kenneth (Ken) Ericson died peacefully at home on December 30, 2024. He was born in Stromsburg, NE to Mildred and Wesley Ericson. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at Grace United Methodist Church, 3700 Cottage Grove, Des Moines, IA. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. prior to the funeral. A luncheon will be served following the funeral. A ceremony of military honors will precede a family burial service, both at Resthaven Cemetery. Ken’s funeral may be viewed online that day and for two weeks at the church’s website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. To join the service via live stream, please visit www.gracedesmoines.org. Click on the 'Sunday Live Video Feed' button located on the homepage. 

Ken paused his education to voluntarily serve in the U.S. Army, where he earned the rank of sergeant and was awarded numerous medals for his leadership and survey work in South Korea. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. While in Lincoln, Ken met and married Dee Dahlin. Soon to follow were the births of their children: son Michael and daughters Karen and Kathy. His work as an industrial engineer in the tire industry took them from Nebraska to Ohio, Mississippi, Iowa, Michigan and South Carolina. Upon retirement, Ken and Dee returned to Iowa and he spent more than 20 years helping in many areas of their church and townhome community. Ken enjoyed spending time with his family, running and bike riding.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Eleanor Peterson and Mary Curry; brother, Don Ericson; and Dee, his wife of 57 years.

He is survived by his son, Michael (Debbie); daughters, Karen and Kathy; granddaughters, Alyssa (Chad) Conley and Brooke (J. Andrew) Gillard; great-grandchildren, Jasper, Benji, Evelyn and J. Parker; and many other beloved family members and friends.

In loving memory of Ken, memorial contributions to Grace United Methodist Church are suggested in lieu of flowers.