John Eriksen was born Oct. 22, 1950, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Louis and Frances Eriksen. He grew up in Homer. After graduating from the University of South Dakota, he moved to Blair to work as an accountant for Korshoj Construction. In 1983, John founded Eriksen Construction. His love for this company and its employees over the years continues still today. John loved what he did every day and considered many of the employees he worked with not only friends, but an extension of his family.

John was an avid golfer. He played countless rounds at the clubs he belonged to in Omaha and Bradenton. John was lucky enough to enjoy 5 holes in one over the years. His love for this sport and the friends he made while playing it brought him a tremendous amount of joy.

John also had enough patience to teach Peggy to golf along the way.

John enjoyed traveling around the world. He was always planning his next adventure. Some of his favorite destinations included Africa, New Zealand, Europe, and he visited many U.S. National Parks with his family.

Most important to John was his family. He was married to Peggy in August 1992. When his children were growing up, John could be found on the bleachers of their many sporting events, bringing them along to construction sites, educating them on the world of construction, and giving them his advice on life’s lessons whenever needed. His proudest moments were watching them take off for college and start their careers. In recent years, John’s greatest joy was his time with grandkids. Whether picking mulberries in the backyard, giving golf cart rides, or swimming in the pool, he was always happiest when surrounded by his grandchildren.

John is survived by his wife Peggy, children Nick Eriksen (Jennifer), Jenny Eriksen, Jess Ackermann (Casey), Alex Fitzke (Mike), grandchildren Jace, Deklyn, Malin, Kenzie, Maddie, Kael, and Jaxon, and his sister Dolores Heck. He was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Frances Eriksen and his siblings Juanita Denker, Claudia Nitzel, Darrel Eriksen, Ronald Eriksen, and Joellen Bergeon Stene.

Services will be held Thursday, February 24, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Blair. A lunch will follow at the Cottonwood Marina. Memorials may be directed to the Washington County Food Pantry/Joseph’s Coat or the Washington County Community Foundation. Campbell Aman Funeral Home.

#2 Funeral leaflet

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In Loving Memory of John Eriksen

Born October 22, 1950 ~ Entered Into Rest February 14, 2022

Memorial Service 10:30 am Thursday, February 24, 2022 First Lutheran Church, Blair, Nebraska. Officiating: Rod Hansen, P.M.A. Organist: Clare Cowing. Eulogist: Milt Heinrich. Vocalist: Eugene Huck. Readers: Casey Ackerman and Mike Prinds. Musical Selections: "Amazing Grace", "My Old Man", "You've Got A Friend", "How Great Thou Art"

Following services a luncheon will be held at Cottonwood Cove Marina, 10270 Riverside Lane, Blair, NE 68008

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home

#3-Posted Friday, March 4, 2022 Enterprise

By Elizabeth A. Elliott - news@enterprisepub.com

John Eriksen, owner of Eriksen Construction, had a heart for the community of Blair, said Blair City Administrator Rod Storm.

“He was a businessman who put his heart and soul not only into his company but to his employees and had a distinct place in that business and in that heart for working with the City of Blair, which was his home community.”

Eriksen died Feb. 14 at age 71.

Storm knew Eriksen from school sports.

“We could always count on Eriksen Construction to be there if we needed something at the water/sewer plant in an emergency situation to assist us in completing that,” he said. “He always enjoyed life and doing things and helping out the community when and where he could.”

Storm said Eriksen wanting to help the community is evidenced by a new housing subdivision in Southern Hills to help grow the housing market in Blair.

“That’s a big undertaking and he was willing to see that through for lots for future families to relocate to Blair for the community to grow and develop,” he said. “John could be found regularly at the Maple Cafe catching up on what was happening in the world.”

Blair Mayor Rich Hansen said Eriksen was “always at the ready with his men and equipment to help out in emergency situations.”

Eriksen was a successor to Harold White Construction, who worked for Korshoj Construction, so the three were interconnected, according to Hansen.

“He was one of the smartest men I have known,” Hansen said. “He was a frustrated architect in a construction man’s body.” Friend Betsy Andersen said “when a stone is thrown into the still water of a pond, waves originate and move outward, the larger the stone the larger the wave.

“John Eriksen’s ‘wave’ is huge. He created a legacy of contributions and they will reverberate in Blair for years to come.”

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #236947544