February 5, 1930 - September 29, 2013
Richard H. Erkilla, age 83, of Minneapolis. Retired supervisor, Mpls. Schools Building & Grounds. Preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; daughter, Pamela Persons; infant son, Robert; sisters, Joyce Hampton and Hope Hampton, as well as parents, Harold and Mae Erkilla. Survived by wife, Janice; daughter, Penny (Scott) Sonntag; Janice's children, Bill (Dotty) Trueblood, Linda McClary, Joyce Brom and Jayne Trueblood; grandchildren, Jennifer Sonntag, Michael Sonntag, Bethany Trueblood, Nathan Trueblood, and Jared Trueblood; great-grandchildren, Jakob Sonntag, Michael Sonntag, Jr., and Kennadi Sonntag; brother, Jack Erkilla; nephew and special friend, Robert Hampton; other nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorials to the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank.
Although he is gone from this world I believe he is in a better place through faith, in heaven…. with God and other loved ones that have gone ahead. He was married to my mother for 33 years, they loved each other dearly. Richard was a good man, a great example and a wonderful influence in my life. So glad to have had him in my life, he will be missed. I love you Richard!
Dad,
I will always cherish the memories You and I, Mom and Pam shared together. You know you and I had an agreement that I would go first, but I know you were ready and was in worse shape than I. After getting that off my chest, I will always remember when you got us lost in Carlos. Mom made me stop being mad at you. This is probably the only time I was right and you were wrong. I promise I will never stop the music playing, and it will always be “You and Me Against the World”.
Love,
Your One and Only
Though you may be gone from the world, you will always and forever be in my heart and in my memories. I will never forget all the Saturday mornings you picked me up for bowling at Stardust. Afterwards I would hang out with you in the bar and you would buy me my kiddie cocktails while we waited for mom and dad. Or all the Holidays we spent at your house. I would chase princess around and she would hide from me. You were always on my side and would tell me where she was. I’m sadden that you are gone, but I know you will always be with me, and I am comforted knowing that I have another angel watching over me to keep me safe. I love you and one day I will see you again.
Grandpa,
I love and remember the times you would come over to our house every Friday night when I was a kid. The Saturday mornings I got to spend with you at the bowling alley. Our camping trip, The extended times I would come stay with you, when my parents would travel. The exercising in the basement, The Sinatra music, The bible stories you used to read to me and our trips to the Old country buffet.
I miss and I love you so much and I’m sorry I didn’t get to see you much lately. But I always thought about you.
Love,
Michael
loved Friday nights when Grandpa came over!!! The endless conversation and the words of Frank Sinatra through the house. We sure did have a lot of good times with him Brother. He will be missed but he knows how much we love him and we will keep these and many more memories in our hearts forever.
On behalf of the Raleigh Blind Bowlers/Raleigh Outlaws I would like to express our sincere condolences to Janice, Linda and your entire family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
I can not say I knew Richard on the level as most of you who have posted something already. He was my mother’s husband and shortly after they married, I moved to TX so I only knew him through times spent visiting in MN for vacation or helping with the National Blind Bowling Tournaments. We shared early morning cups of coffee and conversations. He was a strong man for my mother to lean on. He genuinely loved my mother and all of the people who were & are important to her. (Family & friends.) He was a unique and committed individual who only by God hearing my moms plea for a companion in her life, answered with the man “Richard Erkilla”. I love you. ~Joyce