RAPID CITYRick J. Erickson, 59, of Rapid City and formerly of Aberdeen, passed away on Friday, February 1, 2013, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Rick was born on October 3, 1953, in Aberdeen, to Oliver and Ramona (Egle) Erickson. He attended rural schools southeast of Aberdeen and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1971. Rick attended Northern State College and then was employed at Gerharter Realty. In 1980, he began his career with Ridco/Riddles Jewelry as their pilot and as a merchandiser. He transferred to Rapid City to their new headquarters in 1989 and continued as their pilot until 1995. Rick was currently the Vice President of Merchandising. Rick considered the Riddles his second family and was especially close to Brett. He enjoyed snowmobiling in the Black Hills and riding his Gold Wing with Kathy and all of his motorcycle friends in the Hills and throughout the West. Rick loved animals, especially his dog, Annie, and liked to watch Jeopardy and other game shows. Rick also enjoyed farming growing up and especially liked being on the road custom combining. Survivors include his loving partner, Kathy Gehring, of Rapid City; his parents, Oliver and Ramona Erickson, of Aberdeen; his daughter, Jennifer (Tecumseh) Funmaker, and their children, Autumn and Ava, all of Green Bay, WI; his brother, Gregg (Kristie) Erickson and their children, Becky, Andy and Tom, his brother, Mark (Kristen) Erickson and their children, Katherine and Christopher and his sister, Sheryl Erickson and her daughter, Letitia Smith, all of Aberdeen and Kathy's daughters, Melissa (Mike) Kolb, of Aberdeen and Michelle (Isaac) Soderlund and their children, Olivia and Hannah, all of Duluth, MN. He was preceded in death by an infant sister. A service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City with Dave Westergaard officiating. Visitation will one hour prior to services. Visitation will also be from 5 until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home in Aberdeen. A 2nd service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7, at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home with Dave Westergaard officiating. A luncheon will follow the funeral at the Spitzer-Miller Fellowship Hall. Burial will be in Scandinavian Lutheran Cemetery, in rural Bath. Memorials may be designated to a charity of the donor's choice.