Daniel Robert “Dan” Erdman, 75, of Crookston, MN, passed away peacefully at his home Monday evening, October 9, 2023, with his wife, Connie, and children: Martin, Dan, and Raquel at his side. Dan, with much support and love from his family, had been courageously battling cancer for the past 12 years.
Dan was born to Eva Mae (Pederson) and Robert Daniel Bergren in Fargo, ND on November 12, 1947. Together with their mother, Eva, Dan and his sister, Debra, later moved to Crookston. There she met Walter E. Erdman, the two fell in love, and in 1952 were married at a ceremony held in Las Vegas, NV. Walter loved Dan and Deb very much so as soon as he could after marrying Eva he adopted them and gave them his last name, proudly calling them his son and daughter for the rest of his days. In the coming years Walter and Eva would add their sister, Vicki, to the family.
Dan was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He began his elementary education in Crookston until 1956 when the family moved to Wichita, KS where he attended school. After returning to Crookston in 1959 Dan completed Junior High School and headed off to high school at Crookston’s Northwest School of Agriculture. He had been working with his father on the farm since he was 12 years old and following his 1965 graduation from NWSA he became a fulltime farmer. He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in October of 1966 and spent 6 months on active duty at Fort Lewis, WA before returning to Crookston to fulfill dual roles as farmer and Guardsman, while at the same time taking instruction in computer programming in Fargo. On September 7, 1968, Dan was united in marriage to his longtime sweetheart, Connie Jean Raymond, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston. They were soon blessed by the births of son, Daniel John, and daughter, Raquel Rae. From 1971 to 1974 Dan left farming for employment with Jiffy Fry in Crookston. He was not afraid of hard work and long hours as he also held part time positions during those years at American Crystal, Brost Chevrolet, and Cenex. Dan received his honorable discharge from the MN National Guard in 1973. He returned to take over the farming operation in 1975, remaining in that career until 1996. In 1997 Dan accepted a position as Agricultural Loan Officer for Farm Credit Services in their Crookston office. Today’s farming operations are extremely complicated and Dan’s experience and knowledge as a “tiller of the soil” provided his clients at FCS with the tools and the ability to make sound decisions while at the same time being successful doing what they loved. After retiring in 2013 he founded Erdman Consulting LLC, continuing with his business to the present time.
Dan was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, a longtime member and former President of the Crookston Chamber of Commerce, and past President of the Crookston Central Parent Advisory Board. Professionally, he served on the American Crystal Grower Board, was a past Vice-President of the Farm Credit Services of Grand Forks Board of Directors, and a former President of the FCS Minnesota State Federation Board.
Dan and Connie spent a lifetime making wonderful memories and doing the things that they had always talked about. Among their highlights were 24 years of annual trips to Disney World, frequently joined by family and friends that will forever evoke smiles and warm, fuzzy thoughts. He loved the music of his younger years and there was no greater group than the Beatles…then or since. Dan was a loyal fan of the Minnesota Vikings throughout their existence and had often attended games throughout the years. Though they disappointed more often than not, he never lost hope. Dan loved his family dearly, and nothing gave him greater pleasure than helping Connie turn their beautiful home into a Christmas Wonderland! In 2022 Dan and Connie were reunited with Martin Kukowski, a son they gave up for adoption 55 years earlier.
Dan will be very sadly missed and lovingly remembered by, Connie, the love of his life and soulmate of 55 years; their children: Martin and Lynelle Kukowski of Anchorage, AK, Daniel John “Dan” and Christine Erdman of Crookston, MN, and Raquel Rae and Justin Dimmick of Oakridge, OR; former daughter-in-law, Denise Trudeau Niemala and her husband, Rick, of Crookston; 10 grandchildren: Kyle Erdman (Michael Krenz) of St. Paul, MN, Kollin Erdman (Brie Schilling) of Brainerd, MN, Elizabeth Erdman of Moorhead, MN, Ethan Erdman of Crookston, Cade Cownie, serving with the US Air Force in Germany, Lane Cownie of Jonesboro, AR, Cameron Niemala of Brookings, SD, and Denery, Grace, and Isaac Kukowski of Anchorage; great-grandchildren, Connor and Henrik Erdman; sisters, Debra Blackburn of Spring, TX and Vicki Mjelde of Fargo, ND; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins; and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Eva; brother-in-law, Ballard “Steve” Blackburn; and other family members.
From Connie’s side of the family Dan is survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Mike Raymond of Crookston, Ken and Anita Raymond of Astoria, OR, Veronica and Larry Hasbrouck of Orlando, FL, Renee and Craig Caillier of Thief River Falls, MN, Nate and Nicole Raymond of Fargo, ND, and Stacy and Marlin Brule of Jordan, MN; and Connie’s extended family. He is preceded in death by parents-in-law, Marlyn and Cecilia Raymond; and sister-in-law, Karen Kay Raymond.
May God richly bless the memory of Daniel Robert Erdman.
Dan’s Life will be Honored at a Funeral Service to be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 21, 2023, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, with Msgr. David Baumgartner and The Rev. Chad Brucklacher of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, officiating. Visitation will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Friday from 4-7:00 p.m. with a prayer service and sharing of memories beginning at 7:00. Visitation will continue at the Cathedral on Saturday for one hour prior to the funeral. Burial will take place in Oakdale Cemetery, Crookston, at a later date. Both the prayer service and funeral service will be livestreamed by going to www.crookstoncathedral.com or Dan’s obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com and clicking on the prompt to view. Messages of condolence may be offered to Connie and Family through the funeral home website as well. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift in Dan’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Hospice of the Red River Valley.
