StaffStaff

Our dedicated staff members are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.

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Doral and Doris Erickson Former Owners

Doral and Doris were the second generation to own and operate the Erickson Funeral Home. They served families from 1952 until 1990, when they put their business in Brent's care.

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Brent D. and Mary Jo Erickson Former owners, Funeral Director

Brent Erickson and his wife Mary Jo are the third generation owner/operator of Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington, Argyle, and Shullsburg. For four generations the Erickson Funeral Home has served the Lafayette County and surrounding area, as they would want to be served in their time of need.

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Justin & Shannon Erickson Owners, Funeral Director

Justin is a fourth generation funeral director and embalmer and current owner/operator at Erickson Funeral Home. He is married to the love of his life and a Wiota native, Shannon Shager. He received his Associaties of Applied Science degree from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, IL in September of 2015. He started at a young age as most young men in a family business do. Justin worked at two other funeral homes other than his family's business to gain a wide knowledge base of the industry. In 2009, Justin studied Outdoor Education and Leadership and received an Associates of Arts degree at Central Wyoming College in Riverton, WY. One year later he completed a semester in the Rockies through the National Outdoor Leadership School (N.O.L.S). If you don't know about N.O.L.S. ask, it was a life changing program. This time out west allowed him to find his balance. When Justin is not working in the funeral home you will find him spending time with his wife Shannon and their dog Sadie or outdoors enjoying the seasonal sports. He is currently working hard for the communities that have shown him so much support throughout his life. Justin takes great pride in being able to serve such a great region. As his family before him, he will serve families the way he would want his loved ones to be served in their time of need. Justin is honored to be part of your lives and will strive to make the tribute of your loved one unique to their life. Justin and his wife Shannon are proud to be members of the communities they serve.  

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Janelle Jackson Executive Assistant

Janelle was born and raised in Shullsburg, Wisconsin where she lives with her family and 2 dogs. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville with degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice. She has worked with the Erickson Funeral Home since 2015. Outside of work, Janelle enjoys watching the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, anything on ESPN, and crime scene shows. She is in the office every day 8 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. to answer any questions you may have. 

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Laura Smith Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer

Laura graduated from school in Des Moines, Iowa in 2023 with an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science.  She has lived in Darlington her entire life, graduating from Darlington High School in 2003. She then moved on to college and obtained a degree in Applied Science, and completed an apprenticeship in funeral service in 2007, but at the time didn't feel like it was the right fit and had worked in agronomy for 12 years before starting her appreticeship with us in July of 2022. She married Heath Smith who is also from Darlington and they have four children: Hadley, Colby, Grady & Oakly. In her spare time, she enjoys being home, spending time with  friends, and attending her children's numerous events. 

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Jarrett Lancaster Apprentice

Jarrett was born and raised in Darlington, WI where he graduated high school in 2017. He began working for the funeral home in 2016 as the snow shoveler and moved his way up the ladder to apprentice. Jarrett likes to travel and spend time with family and friends. 

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Ryley Lancaster Apprentice

Ryley was born and raised in Darlington, Wisconsin where he still resides and began working at the funeral home in 2020 while a senior in high school. Ryley is attending Cosmetolgy school and is an apprentice for the funeral home. In his free time, Ryley enjoys spending time with his family and friends.  

Doral and Doris Erickson

Former Owners
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Doral and Doris were the second generation to own and operate the Erickson Funeral Home. They served families from 1952 until 1990, when they put their business in Brent's care.

Brent D. and Mary Jo Erickson

Former owners, Funeral Director
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Brent Erickson and his wife Mary Jo are the third generation owner/operator of Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington, Argyle, and Shullsburg. For four generations the Erickson Funeral Home has served the Lafayette County and surrounding area, as they would want to be served in their time of need.

Justin & Shannon Erickson

Owners, Funeral Director
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Justin is a fourth generation funeral director and embalmer and current owner/operator at Erickson Funeral Home. He is married to the love of his life and a Wiota native, Shannon Shager. He received his Associaties of Applied Science degree from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, IL in September of 2015. He started at a young age as most young men in a family business do. Justin worked at two other funeral homes other than his family's business to gain a wide knowledge base of the industry. In 2009, Justin studied Outdoor Education and Leadership and received an Associates of Arts degree at Central Wyoming College in Riverton, WY. One year later he completed a semester in the Rockies through the National Outdoor Leadership School (N.O.L.S). If you don't know about N.O.L.S. ask, it was a life changing program. This time out west allowed him to find his balance. When Justin is not working in the funeral home you will find him spending time with his wife Shannon and their dog Sadie or outdoors enjoying the seasonal sports. He is currently working hard for the communities that have shown him so much support throughout his life. Justin takes great pride in being able to serve such a great region. As his family before him, he will serve families the way he would want his loved ones to be served in their time of need. Justin is honored to be part of your lives and will strive to make the tribute of your loved one unique to their life. Justin and his wife Shannon are proud to be members of the communities they serve.  

Janelle Jackson

Executive Assistant
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Janelle was born and raised in Shullsburg, Wisconsin where she lives with her family and 2 dogs. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville with degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice. She has worked with the Erickson Funeral Home since 2015. Outside of work, Janelle enjoys watching the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, anything on ESPN, and crime scene shows. She is in the office every day 8 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. to answer any questions you may have. 

Laura Smith

Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer
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Laura graduated from school in Des Moines, Iowa in 2023 with an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science.  She has lived in Darlington her entire life, graduating from Darlington High School in 2003. She then moved on to college and obtained a degree in Applied Science, and completed an apprenticeship in funeral service in 2007, but at the time didn't feel like it was the right fit and had worked in agronomy for 12 years before starting her appreticeship with us in July of 2022. She married Heath Smith who is also from Darlington and they have four children: Hadley, Colby, Grady & Oakly. In her spare time, she enjoys being home, spending time with  friends, and attending her children's numerous events. 

Jarrett Lancaster

Apprentice
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Jarrett was born and raised in Darlington, WI where he graduated high school in 2017. He began working for the funeral home in 2016 as the snow shoveler and moved his way up the ladder to apprentice. Jarrett likes to travel and spend time with family and friends. 

Ryley Lancaster

Apprentice
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Ryley was born and raised in Darlington, Wisconsin where he still resides and began working at the funeral home in 2020 while a senior in high school. Ryley is attending Cosmetolgy school and is an apprentice for the funeral home. In his free time, Ryley enjoys spending time with his family and friends.