HURON — Judge Jon R. Erickson, 73, of Huron, passed away Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Huron Regional Medical Center.

A celebration of Jon’s life will be announced at a later date. Memorial gifts may be directed to Welter Funeral Home and will be distributed to some of Jon’s favorite causes.

Jon was born in Watertown on May 10, 1950, to Richard (Dick) and Joan (Downes) Erickson and was an older brother to sisters Laurie and Liz. Some of Jon’s fondest childhood memories were of his family. He frequently told stories about spending time in his grandfather’s hardware store or on his aunt and uncle’s farm near South Shore.

 Jon’s family moved to Sioux Falls when he was five, and he spent the rest of his childhood there. He graduated from Lincoln High School, which is where he discovered his aptitude and passion for debate, government and politics – interests that would define the rest of his personal and professional life.

He honed his talents at the University of South Dakota where he earned his bachelor’s degree and then graduated from its law school in 1975.

Jon began his four-decade legal career at Andera, Margadant and Erickson in Chamberlain, also serving as the Brule County Deputy State’s Attorney from 1975 to 1980. He then continued serving the people of South Dakota, in Pierre as Assistant Attorney General for the State of South Dakota from 1980 to 1987 and then as an Assistant U.S Attorney, District of South Dakota in 1987 and 1988.
In 1988 he was appointed as a judge in South Dakota’s Third Circuit by Gov. George Mickelson. The appointment brought Jon to Huron where he sat on the bench for 30 years. Throughout his distinguished career, Jon held a number of leadership positions, including Chair, Board of Pardons and Paroles (1985-1987); President, South Dakota Judges Association (1996-1997); Chair, Ethics Committee, South Dakota Judges Association (1991-1996); South Dakota Unified Judicial System Planning Council (1996-1998); and the Judicial Qualifications Commission (2000-2008).
 A testament to Jon’s warmth and generosity, some of the proudest moments of his career were when he had the opportunity to preside over weddings and adoptions. Nothing gave him more joy than giving joy to others.

Among his many accomplishments, Jon was perhaps proudest of his family. Jon married Patricia (Blackford) Erickson in 1986. Although they eventually divorced, Jon and Pat remained good friends and loving co-parents to their daughter, Ann, who they welcomed in 1989. Jon was an especially doting and devoted father and was Ann’s all-around biggest fan. Ann has so many happy memories of her dad. She will always treasure her childhood weekends with him at Lake Poinsett, enjoying countless hours on the water and making Saturday morning trips to the Estelline Bakery. She’ll also cherish more recent memories, like when Jon officiated her wedding in Huron.

Perhaps the only thing Jon loved more than being a father was being “Grampa Jon” to Ann’s two young sons, Beau (2) and Wells (5 months). If you chatted with Jon recently, you probably heard a story (or several) about them; and you know the way his eyes lit up when he spoke of them. His time with them was too short, but Ann looks forward to finding ways for them to know Jon as they grow older.

Jon was an avid reader and a lifelong student of history, particularly South Dakota history and his family’s genealogy. He loved a good joke and relished a bad one. He appreciated a sharp wit and good humor, qualities that he himself had in spades. He saw the world through his travels with friends and family; he was happiest in good conversation, especially if it included a cigar; and he invested in his community, serving on the boards for Huron’s Stone Church, the Center for Independence Foundation and the Huron Country Club.

Jon was a caring and generous friend to many, and his friendships played a large and important role in his life. Jon’s family would like to express their profound gratitude to his friends for the happiness they brought him – most especially his trusty “Friday night group” and the wonderful community at the Huron Country Club.

Grateful to have known and been loved by Jon are his daughter, Ann Erickson (Robert Rodby) and two grandsons, Beau and Wells Erickson Rodby of Minneapolis, Minn.; sisters Laurie McGreevy (Jim) of Phoenix, Ariz., and Lizbeth Gullickson (Chuck) of Sioux Falls; and his ex-wife and friend Pat Erickson (Ron Wheeler) of Huron. Between his and Pat’s families, Jon was a beloved uncle to nine nieces and nephews, known for his puns, pranks and general sense of mischief, and influencing more than one of them to enjoy a cigar with him.

Jon was preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Joan.

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