Erick Gustaf Anderson, 83, of Hill City, MN died Friday, June 20, 2014 outside doing the things he loved. He was born October 30, 1930 to Victor and Betty Anderson in Palisade, MN. He was the 11th child of 13. Erick grew up in the Palisade area. He quit school and joined the Air Force when he was 17. During his first 10 years, he was a flight engineer. He completed his GED. Erick was on board a ship in 1950 going to the Philippines and then Japan when the Korean Conflict began. He was on airplanes hauling supplies to Korea once or twice a month. He met Donna Dixon when home on emergency leave. They married June 21, 1955 and were only together for 1 ½ years during their first 6 years because of his duties with the Air Force. His next 11 years in the Air Force was in Radar, stationed in Okinawa in 1959-1960 until being stationed in Rapid City, SD. Then stationed in Crosby, ND at Fortuna Air Base until he was sent to Vietnam in 1964. Before going to Vietnam, he spent 5 months in language school in Washington D.C. Erick was transferred to Baudette, MN to the 692nd Radar Squad. In August 1967 he was transferred to Duluth, MN until 1970 when he retired. After retirement he and Donna purchased a home near Hill City, known as the old Newhall farm where he started a hobby farm. He began working at Blandin Paper Co. in 1974 until his retirement in 1995. Erick enjoyed dancing, traveling, working on equipment and helping his children and grandchildren. He was a member of the Grand Rapids VFW Post 1720, Aitkin American Legion Post #86, the Air Force Sergeants Assoc., and the NRA. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jeffrey; brothers, John, Herb and Harry; sisters, Mae, Mildred, Betty, Margaret, Hazel, Selma, Florence; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Erick is survived by his wife, Donna; children, Anita, Greg, Jon, Jean; sisters, Rosie Backstrom and Helen Hicks; 7 grandchildren, Lisa, Julie, Jamie, Chase, Austin, Chance and Colton; 3 great-grandchildren, Samantha, Xander and Trina; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Visitation: 5:00 p.m. "€" 7:00 p.m. Monday and continuing 10:00 a.m. Tuesday until the 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service all at Andrews-Libbey Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Rev. Chuck Carlson officiating. Interment in Hill Lake Cemetery. See online guestbook at www.andrews-libbeyfh.com. Arrangements by Andrews-Libbey Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 520 NE 2nd Ave, Grand Rapids, MN 218-326-4000