Clay Erickson

Clay Evan Erickson went to his Heavenly home on July 20th, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 28th at Bismarck Baptist Church. Family will greet guests one hour prior. Burial will be at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, New Salem.

Clay was born on May 3, 1977, in Williston, ND to Charles and Karen (Muri) Erickson. He was raised in Mandan. From little on he loved horses, cattle and tractors. From the age of 12 on, he spent summers with his Grandpa and Grandma Muri at their cattle ranch in Watford City. Clay graduated from Shiloh Christian School in 1996. He attended BSC and then Dickinson State. Clay worked for USDA-ARS at the Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory in Mandan for 21 years. He was currently working for Earthworks Services.

Clay met the love of his life and best friend, Rachelle Kaelberer, on August 15, 1999, on a blind date. He went home that night and told his friends that he was "going to marry that girl". And he did just that on July 7, 2001. Clay was the most incredible husband, loving, romantic and compassionate. After a few moves, they bought their first house and settled in New Salem in 2006. In 2018, they moved to a beautiful place in the country. Their first son Evan was born in 2016 and little brother Axel followed in 2020. Clay's boys were the pride of his life. He was a wonderful dad and thought the world of his boys. He loved taking them on four-wheeler rides, teaching Evan to ride their pony Gallup, and playing baseball with Axel. One of his favorite things was when his boys crawled up on his lap to snuggle.

Clay was a true cowboy, often saying he was born "a hundred years too late". Having his own cow herd and ranch was his lifelong dream. He loved fly fishing, hunting, reading, camping and taking his boys swimming. Clay lived a life of faith in God. For several years he taught Sunday School, Team Kid, and served as a deacon at their church in Mandan. Clay had a great sense of humor and seemed to know someone everywhere he went. He loved to tell stories and visit.

Clay is survived by his beloved wife Rachelle; sons, Evan and Axel; mother Karen Erickson; sister, Krisha and her children Kursten, Kaden, Brynn & Brooklyn; brother, Cole (Kim) & children Natalia, Alaina & Hudson; brother Shale; mother-in-law and father-in-law Charles and Caroline Kaelberer; sister-in-law Trisha Burke (Steve) & children Ella, Lily & Noah; brother-in-law Jesse Kaelberer (Kori) & children Jayden, Joshua & Karian; and several aunts, uncles and many cousins.

Clay was preceded in death by his father, and grandparents.