Wallace Wayne Erikson Jr., 88, of Savonburg, Kansas, passed away Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center.
Wayne was born Aug.10, 1937, in Wichita, Kansas, to Wallace and Geneva Erikson. He married Joyce Ott on February 14, 1962, in Savonburg, Kansas. Together they built a life rooted in family, faith, and hard work, and raised three children.
Wayne farmed his entire life on the family farm in Savonburg. He also worked for the Kansas Department of Transportation in Chanute before retiring, and he served nine years in the National Guard.
Wayne loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and especially his trips to Canada. He always had a dog by his side and could keep you listening for hours with his stories. He also loved watching bull riding, following the Kansas City Chiefs, and cheering on the KU Jayhawks. And if there was coconut cream pie on the table, Wayne was happy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Geneva Erikson, and his brother, Darrel Erikson.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce Ott Erikson; three children, Terri Broadwell (Mike) of Lawrence, Kansas, Talana Erikson of Stark, Kansas, and Gene Erikson (Sandy) of Erie, Kansas; four grandchildren, Caitlin Broadwell, Kelsey Newman, Colton Erikson, and Bailey Erikson; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 10:30 a.m. at Stark Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Mount Mariah Cemetery in Savonburg, Kansas. The family received friends from 6:30 until 8 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
