Gary Kent Erickson, age 71, of Wisconsin Dells, WI, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2026, in Madison, WI (UW Hospital).

A "Celebration of Life" will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 12:00 Noon until 6:00 P.M. at Edge O Dells Resort – POP's Beach Bar & Pavilion (N551 Rembles Rd. WI Dells). A time for prayer and stories will be held at 2:00 P.M.

Gary was born October 19, 1954, in Windom, MN to Mervin and Mary (Jones) Erickson. He graduated from Windom, MN High School and moved to WI Dells in 1973, where the adventure started. Tommy Bartlett was seeking Sky Divers in South Dakota and travelling home he passed through Windom, MN, in his Porsche where Gary was working at a full-service gas station. "You don't see cars like that around Windom", so he struck up a conversation. Next thing you know Tommy is offering a job to "kids like you", come to WI Dells to work! Gary "hustled tickets", put bumper stickers on cars, ran show lights, plumbing, assisted with billboards and signs and anything else you can think of for over 35 years. He was proud to be a part of the Bartlett Family.

Gary enjoyed his travels with Tommy right along-side him in his planes including an incredible flight to Costa Rica, to fish of course! He also traveled with him to Germany (including picking up Porsches), Russia, Alaska including the first Concord Flight from NY to Paris! Gary then got a "Retirement Job" and joined his lifelong friend, Tom Turbett, forming Rainbow Sign Services, continuing on in the sign business until his death.

Gary was a Master at Cribbage, enjoyed all card games, and was always the Social guy! He so enjoyed all of his relationships with friends that were too many to count. Most of all he was a true Sportsman starting with his dad and brothers, growing up in SW Minnesota he told tales of his youth ice skating on the Des Moines River, shooting rabbits, squirrels, etc. then hunting deer, pheasants, geese and ducks. Gary hunted or fished in Alaska, Oregon, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, MN, to name a few. He hunted Moose, Bear, Caribou, Elk, Deer, Ducks, Geese, Pheasants, Prairie Dogs! And Fished Salmon, Yellow Fin Tuna, Sturgeon, Walley… preferably anything you could eat. "I don't fish Musky, why would I, you can't eat them!!" Above all, he always had a love of dogs and passion for his own.

Gary's newest retirement hobby was gardening and that had to be done on a grand scale since he found out Terri could can his bounty! We so enjoyed his "Gary the Gardener here" videos on FB.

Gary is survived by his wife, Terri (Ackerman) Erickson; mother, Mary (Jones) Erickson; siblings, Steven (Chris) Erickson, Tracy (Herm) Meier, G Kevin (Jorie) Erickson (his identical twin and best friend in the world) and Eric (Kelley) Erickson; aunts and uncles; nephews and nieces, Andy (Alisha) Erickson, Dave Erickson, Kristi Erickson, Eric (Rachelle) Blakemore, Matt Blakemore, Mark (Holly) Jellen; parents-in-law Richard and Betty Ackerman, sisters-in-law, Sherri (Wayne) Gudex, Bonny (Jack) Ruelle, Carrie (Chris) Guse; step-daughter, Carrin Wahl; nieces and nephews-in-law; great-nieces and great-nephew; as well as many numerous cousins countrywide, that may have received a few late night surprise calls! He held all family dear to his heart. He is preceded in death by his father, Mervin Erickson and his aunts and uncles.

Gary had no fear of making friends with any stranger. "We can't leave yet; there might be someone here I haven't met!" He was a loyal friend to many, you knew it without question, quickly becoming family. He touched so many of our lives. Our hearts are heavy and we will miss you!

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Gary's name.