TRAVERSE CITY — Norman James Erickson, 94 of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, at Munson Hospice House. Norman was born July 29, 1917, in Burlington, Iowa, to the late Hilmer and Julia (Gilberg) Erickson. He married the late Mary Ellen Gauss on Dec. 28, 1940, also in Burlington, Iowa. Together they lovingly raised two daughters, Joyce and Janice.Norman was a dedicated railroad engineer for 41 years with 27 of those years spent as the Methods Engineer Foreman. In his early years he enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and bowling. He also was a gifted handyman, needleworker and crocheter. His tablecloths will be cherished by his family for many years. Surviving Norman are his daughters, Joyce (Dennis) Weise and Janice (Chris) Lynch; granddaughters, Erika (Joe) Bradway, Kirsten (Todd) Schmidt, Allison (Eric) Breithaupt, and Bronwyn and Madison Liston; and great-grandchildren, Kendra, Louis, Arlo, Samuel, Alexander, Nolan, Joshua and Dylan. Norman was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Ellen; brother, Carl Erickson; sisters, Bernice Paulus and Louise Scheu; and granddaughter, Lauren Liston.A memorial service will be held at a later date.Memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice House.Please share thoughts and memories with the family on Norman's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.