Clinton J. Erickson, 94, of Owatonna, died Thursday, January 12, 2012 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. He was born May 19, 1917 in Waseca, Minnesota, the son of Edward and Gladys (Johnson) Erickson. At the age of four, he moved with his family to the Vista Covenant Community and at the age of 11, they moved to south of Bixby. He attended country school and Blooming Prairie High School. He drove gravel truck for road construction then began work at John Deere Implement as a mechanic. He married Rosella Nelson on May 14, 1941 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Owatonna. In 1943, they moved to their farm in Aurora Township where Clinton and Rosella worked side by side and raised their children. Clinton also helped local farmers with silo filling and tractor mechanic work. On January 1, 1988, they retired from farming and moved to Owatonna. The past three years he lived near Ely with his daughter and son-in-law making frequent visits to his home in Owatonna. Clinton was an active member of Aurora Lutheran Church. He served as church treasurer for 12 years, taught Sunday School, helped build and serve at the Aurora Lutheran Church Fair Stand, and also helped with building projects at the church. He enjoyed woodworking and Scandinavian woodcarving. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing and the Minnesota Twins. Clinton was a very caring and generous man and also had a great sense of humor. He is survived by his son, David (and Beverly) Erickson of Stewartville; his daughter, LouAnne (and Loren) Larson of Ely; three grandchildren, Charles (and Kate) Erickson of Montrose, Carl Erickson of Hopkins, and Catherine (and Neil) Swanson of Colorado Springs, CO; two great grandchildren, Keenan and Georgia Swanson; his brother, Ezra (and Louise) Erickson of Owatonna; and nieces and nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Rosella, granddaughter, Lory Lynn Drummond, and sister, Geraldine Erickson. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Monday January 16, 2012 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and at Aurora Lutheran Church on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM . Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Aurora Lutheran Church with The Reverend Jonathan Davis officiating. Interment will be in the Aurora Lutheran Cemetery in Aurora Township. Memorials are preferred to Aurora Lutheran Church. Clinton''s family would like to thank the staff at Cedarview Care Center and St. Mary''s Hospital for their recent loving care and support. Visitation: 01/16/2012 16:00 01/16/2012 19:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service at the church 01/17/2012 11:00