Mark Erickson
December 25, 1961 ~ June 11, 2019
Mark Bradley Erickson passed away in his home on June 11, 2019 surrounded by his loving family.
Mark was born on December 25, 1961, in Grand Forks, ND to Donn & Jeanne (Herman) Erickson.
He graduated from Grand Forks Central High School in 1980, where he excelled in wrestling. He went on to attend and graduate from the University of North Dakota in 1986 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
Mark began his nursing career at United Hospital in Grand Forks and loved all of his roles in healthcare before his failing health forced him to retire in 2017. He positively impacted many lives with his compassion, humor and devotion to helping others.
Mark married Jennifer Backstrom on January 12, 1996, and they made their home first in Fargo, then Grand Forks, and back to Fargo in 2014.
Mark and Jen were avid bike riders, moviegoers, and loved to visit family members around the country. They also enjoyed spending time together on Sanibel Island.
Mark was diagnosed with ALS in January of 2017. In the past 2 ½ years, he met many wonderful people associated with the local ALS support group and was blessed with fantastic caretakers (Tara from Griswold Respite and Allison, Lily, Kait, Sheryl, and Pastor Brett from Ethos Hospice). Thank you so much for the care and compassion those organizations provided us!
Mark was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents and his parents – Donn & Jeanne.
He is survived by his wife Jennifer (West Fargo); his children Nicholas (Minneapolis) and Rebecca (Fargo); his brother Scot (Tricia) and their children Barrett and Jack (Fargo); his sons Matthew Miller and Benjamin (Christy) Miller of Lavernia, TX; his grandchildren Derek, Dawson, Dean, Jessica, Samantha, and Tommy (Lavernia, TX).The family would ask that any memorials be directed to Griswold Respite or Ethos Hospice.
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Jennifer and family,
My deepest condolences during this difficult time. Mark’s personality was larger than life and it was my pleasure to know him and be a part of his team. What a beautiful life to celebrate and I pray you find comfort in all the wonderful memories.
Nick and Becca,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. Our hearts and prayers go out to you as you mourn his loss. May your memories, which are now a treasure, with your dad help ease some of the pain.
So sad to learn of Mark’s passing. He was quite a guy! He always had a smile and good conversation for you. Condolences to his family.
Dear Jennifer, Nick, Becca, Scot and family,
I am so incredibly sad for all of you! Mark was such an incredible human being and he will be missed by so many people. He always talked about how much he loved Jennifer and his kids and I always thought how lucky he was. His life was taken far too soon, but he will remain in our hearts forever.
My prayers and thoughts are with all of you at this very difficult time.
Jen, Nick, Becca
Scot, Trisha, Barret and Jack
You have lost one of the best. Mark’s positive attitude and warm smile will forever be in my heart. May wonderful memories bring peace to each of you in the difficult days ahead.
Love and prayers
Jennifer,
My heart aches for your loss. I am so sorry to hear of Mark’s passing. Sending thoughts and prayers to you ❤️
Jennifer, My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family! Mark will be missed by so many and remembered for his kind heart and and love for all that surrounded him! Keeping you in my prayers and many hugs!!
I knew Mark when he worked as an RN at United Hospital then as a pharmaceutical rep. I always liked and respected him. I am greatly saddened by his passing as I have been unaware of his illness.
My deepest sympathy to his family. He will be missed!
Jenn, I was so sorry to hear of Mark’s passing.. I do not know if you remember me but I worked at Hugo’s #8 and Mark would come in on Thursday nights and I would get him your People before they were put on the sales floor. I always enjoyed visiting with him and you when you would come with. It seems so unfair to lose a life so young. My daughter lives in West Fargo and I hope someday our paths will meet. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jennifer..God bless you during this difficult time. Mark was an incredible person and will be missed so much. One day he will be waiting to greet us all with his contagious smile and a great big hug.
Jennifer and Scot and family
sending my sympathy, keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Nick & family:
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your wonderful memories will keep him close in your heart. Thoughts, prayers and hugs to you.
To all the Erickson’s- thank you for sharing the video tribute. It was a testimony of what a family man Mark was. I’m so sorry for your loss- think what a joyous Father’s Day it was for him to be home with our Heavenly Father and his earthly father as well. I’m grateful for the chance to share a hug last summer in Bemidji with Mark. I wish you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Sue Ellen (Knudson) Olson
Jennifer & Family
I am saddened to have lost a friend and fellow nurse. Mark and I met nearly 20 years ago when he was a Pharma Rep. What I came to know is that he was a nurse with a broad background. Our relationship lead to many adventures – hunting, fishing and some really fun road trips. He helped me build my cabinets at the lake. Mark joined GF Kiwanis for the two years before your move to Fargo. We enjoyed memorable social events together as couples.. I will miss the phone calls where we would poke at each other with humor. When he called jan 2017 to let me know of his diagnosis that was really tough. The last 2 1/2 years it has been a privilege for me to visit him as his journey became much more difficult. Our visits were good. I wanted to get him laugh and usually did when he physically could. I learned so much from Mark’s incredible courage and his family. Love ya Man! RIP Mark Dan & Pam Rustvang
To Mark’s Family,
My deepest sympathy and prayers to all of you. My Dad, Duane Lillestol, was a cousin to Jeanne. I remember meeting Mark and Scot when we were kids at a wedding in Dickinson. Our families exchanged Christmas cards so it was like I saw him once a year. From the comments, Mark was a wonderful person and will be missed by all who knew him. He now rejoices in heaven with Donn and Jeanne.
So sorry for your loss Jennifer.
Jennifer and family,
My deepest condolences on the loss of Mark. I didn’t know that he had ALS. This is a terrible disease and my heart aches for you. We know firsthand how ALS affects a person & family as my husband’s mother also had ALS.
Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
The video was a beautiful tribute to Mark’s life.
2nd post? To Marks family and friends; sorry for your loss. Mark went to GS & HS school with my sister Doreen Conley. We went to UND Nursing school in 1986 and survived the wrath of certain UND nursing instructors. Males were not common to UND yet. Visits to Frency’s helped us survive! Mark was a smiling living person and nurse. He will be missed.
Was searching the internet for old wrestlers I once grappled with and saw Marks obituary. First God bless his wife and kids. Mark was a great wrestler and we had many battles our junior and senior years. We talked more during our senior year and I have to say I liked the guy. We ran into each other on a connecting flight to Fargo in the late 90’s. We laughed and caught up on each other lives. I didn’t see him after that but thought of him once and a while. Nice pic of him and me a state in the video. Mark God bless and I will pray for you tonight.