Joel Torkel Erickson

Joel Torkel Erickson, 87, of Beach, North Dakota, passed away on March 9, 2026, at Sanford Health in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Born on July 15, 1938, to Lester and A. Mildred (Vigesaa) Erickson in Bongor Tchad, Africa, Joel’s early life was shaped by faith, family, and hard work. After his childhood overseas, he was lovingly raised in Cooperstown, North Dakota, by his aunt and uncle, Lars and Agnes, while his parents continued their missionary service in Africa. He graduated from Oak Grove Lutheran High School in 1956 and proudly served two years in the United States Army before returning to North Dakota.

In 1962, Joel married Darlene Watne, and together they had three daughters, Linda, Jan, and Kari. Though the marriage later ended, he remained devoted to his family. In 1973, he married Vicki Szudera, the love of his life, and gained two stepdaughters, Annette and Candace. Joel and Vicki welcomed a son, Corey, and together they built a blended family that became the heart of his world.

A lifelong man of the land, Joel worked for Purina Feed before settling in Beach, where he ran the local feed business, worked for area ranchers, and eventually operated his own ranch. For more than 25 years he drove the north school bus route. Even after retiring from ranching in 2004, he remained active, driving the Golden Valley Senior Citizen bus, helping on his daughter Linda and son-in-law Rick’s farm, and later delivering propane for Farmers Union until his final retirement in 2018.

Joel gave generously of his time to the agricultural community and organizations he believed in, including the American Tarentaise Association, North Dakota Badlands Trail Riders Association, Golden Valley Fair Board, Golden Valley Feeders, Golden Valley Farm Bureau, the FU/Cenex Board, and the American Breeders Association. He was especially proud of his years as a 4-H leader and his service with the Beach Fire Department. His stewardship of the land and leadership earned him honors such as Tarentaise Commercial Cattleman of the Year, the Golden Valley Soil Conservation Award, and the Outstanding Agriculturist Award for Golden Valley County.

He found quiet joy in gardening, especially his beloved peonies, feeding squirrels, hunting, and sharing the outdoors with friends. A devoted sports fan, he rarely missed a Vikings or Twins game, and he cherished holiday gatherings where he always brought out the Yahtzee game. True to his Norwegian heritage, he loved lutefisk, lefse, kringla, and kumla.

Joel was preceded in death by his parents; his aunt and uncle, Lars and Agnes Nevland; his sister, LeVon Nevland; his in-laws, George and Marian Szudera; his brothers-in-law, Vernon Szudera and Tim Ysteboe; and his son-in-law, Dale Curl.

He is survived by his wife, Vicki, of Mandan; his daughters, Linda (Rick) Stoveland of Golva, Jan Vetter of Fargo, Annette Curl of Lincoln, Kari (Mark) Nicolai of Fargo, and Candace (Tom) Warner of Bismarck; his son, Corey (Jennifer) Erickson of Beach; his sisters, Ruthie (Skip) Nolen of Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Rachel (Darwin) Paulson of Upland, California; his brother, Phillip (Frohne) Erickson of Columbus, Ohio; his brothers-in-law, Roger (Karen) Szudera of Middleton, Wisconsin, and Ron (Charlotte) Szudera of Bismarck; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and another great-grandchild expected in July.

Those who knew him will remember his steady presence, his willingness to help, and the quiet, faithful way he cared for his family and community.