Verlan Erickson passed away on January 14, 2020 in Rapid City.

Verlan was born on April 18, 1947 to E. Vern and Lorraine (Feist) Erickson in Rapid City, SD.  After some time, he became an older brother to two sisters and one brother.  During his youth, he was a paper carrier for the Rapid City Journal, eventually working his way up to doing overnight work.

Verlan graduated from Rapid City Central in 1965 and attended Black Hills State College, obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education in 1969.  Upon graduating, he married March Anne Miner and they moved to Timber Lake, SD, where they both taught school;  Verlan taught business education classes.

After 3 years in Timber Lake, they came back to Rapid City, where he worked for an insulation business and in the summer evenings, the Black Hills Greyhound Track.  In 1974, his first son was born, and in 1976, his first daughter.  In 1979, they moved to Black Hawk, SD, and gave birth to another son.  Following that, Verlan started a transmission repair business, Black Hills Transmissions, with his father, which they ran successfully together for 12 years.

Around 1993, Verlan went back to teaching, eventually teaching computer and business courses at Western Dakota Technical Institute (WDTI).  Since teaching was a fall and spring occupation, Verlan worked at Medicine Mountain Scout Camp over the summer.  For several years, Verlan enjoyed the company of two of his children working with him at the scout camp.

When he was active in scouting, he was awarded the Silver Beaver award for his distinguished service of exceptional character to youth; he was also presented the Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor from Crazy Horse Lodge.  He attended training at Philmont and the Wood Badge leadership program, as well as attended the National Jamboree.

In 1998, he divorced March Anne and ended up spending the rest of his life in the company of his companion, Betty Millard.

Throughout his later years, Verlan enjoyed traveling during the summer with Betty, visiting the many national parks in the country.  Many times on his traveling adventures he would bring a grandchild to sharing the experiences with.

Verlan retired from WDTI in 2015.  One of his last traveling adventures was escorting his brother from Rapid City to Yuma, Arizona, spending time with his brother and sister while in Arizona.

Verlan was preceded in death by his father and one granddaughter.  He is survived by his mother; a brother and two sisters; his companion of 22 years Betty Millard; his son Jason and his wife Julie; his daughter Jenny Scherr and her husband Eric; his son Bryan; and numerous grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home on Sunday, January 19th from 4:00-6:00 PM.

The funeral service will be held Monday, January 20th  at 10 AM at Our Lady of the Black Hills in Piedmont, SD.