Colette D. Erickson
January 17, 1951 ~ August 16, 2026
Resided in: Fargo, North Dakota
Colette D. Erickson, age 75, of Fargo, North Dakota, passed away on August 16, 2026. She lived a life filled with friendship, service, music, professional accomplishment, and devotion to the people and animals she loved.
Early Life and Education
Born in Hibbing, Minnesota, on January 17, 1951, Colette grew up primarily in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She graduated from Grand Forks Central High School and earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Dakota.
Career and Service
Colette began her career in Fargo with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota in 1979, working first in Financial Services and later in Human Resources. While there, she earned a Master of Science degree from Central Michigan University. In 1995, she joined North Dakota State University as Associate Director of Human Resources. She later served as interim director and, in 2012, was named Director of Human Resources and Payroll, overseeing the department until her retirement in 2019. Known as a knowledgeable and trusted colleague, Colette earned SPHR and SHRM-SCP designations, served as president of the Fargo-Moorhead Human Resource Association, and contributed generously to university committees and governance groups.
Music, Antiques, and Joy
Music was one of Colette’s great gifts. She shared her beautiful voice and musical talent through special events, church organ music, and theatrical performances. She also enjoyed searching for, collecting, and reselling antiques with her dear friend Mark, treasuring the stories, discoveries, and memories they made together. Colette loved dogs and was a devoted “Mama” to her lifetime of four-legged companions, especially her French Bulldog, Joy.
Friendship and Legacy
Above all, Colette treasured friendship. She shared a special 47-year bond with Darlene, Diane, and Donna—“The Girls”—a friendship filled with lunches, laughter, conversation, and lasting memories. She will be remembered for her intelligence, accomplishments, voice, laughter, love of music and animals, and the many ways she shared her talents with others.
Family
Colette was preceded in death by her mother, Lucille Skogmoe Erickson; her father, Roland Erickson, Sr.; her sister, Renee Erickson Swenson; and her brothers, Roland Erickson, Jr., and Guy Erickson.
She is survived by her niece, Yvette Swenson (Dave) Peetz; her nephews, Scott (Claire) Swenson, Brett (Robin) Swenson, Brian Erickson, Todd Erickson, and Ethan (Leah) Erickson, her great-nieces and great-nephews and her beloved Joy.
Her cheerful smile, sharp wit, mentorship, and fun-loving nature will be deeply missed by her family, friends and community.
Celebration of Life
A Celebration of Colette’s Life will be held Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 2–4 p.m. at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo, North Dakota.
Services
Celebration of Life: Saturday, August 29, 2026 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
https://boulgerfuneralhome.com
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You are forever in our heart Colette. I have always looked up to you, your beauty, your smile, your personality, your talents and the love that we shared as crazy dog lovers. I have wonderful memories of girls trips with mom, and family gatherings. Wish we could have made more memories together. I will hold you in my heart and look to the heavens to talk to you. I hope you and Mom are giggling together in heaven. Until we meet again..I love you and miss you.
Love you always..Yvette
There are so many memories we shared over many, many years. Love, Mark’s sisters, Barb, Merry Jo and Julie and our families.
Meeting at antique shows and Human Resource meetings, Colette always had a smile and a warm welcome. I’m sorry to hear of his loss. Thinking of you and sending peace at this time.
To Colette’s family…what a tremendous loss for you. Colette was an absolute delight. I had the pleasure of getting to know & work with Colette during her time at NDSU. She possessed a calm, quiet confidence and was self-aware, humble, modest, & gracious. She embraced silence when needed, allowing others to speak, & feel heard & understood. Her emotional intelligence, active listening skills, & ability to remain impartial contributed to her success & the positive impact she had on those around her. Collette had a beautiful smile that lit up the space around her & immediately lifted the mood. We bonded over our love of dogs, & she always had a new photo or story to share about her beloved fur babies. In her honor, a donation will be made to a local dog rescue organization, to celebrate a life well-lived and a person deeply loved. Please know that so many share in your sadness. Colette was truly a good soul, gone too soon, but now free from pain and soaring high! With heartfelt sympathy…
I worked with Colette at NDSU. She was full of life, compassion and a lot of spunk! She taught me a lot about leadership and creative problem solving. Thank you Colette. Your presence in the world was a gift and you will be missed.