TRAVERSE CITY — Norman James Erickson, 94, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, at Munson Hospice House.Norman was born July 29, 1917, in Burlington, Iowa, to the late Hilmer and Julia (Gillberg) Erickson. He married the late Mary Ellen Gauss on Dec. 28, 1940, also in Burlington. Together they lovingly raised two daughters, Joyce and Janice.Norman was a dedicated railroad engineer for 41 years, and 27 of those years were 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 table clothes will be cherished for 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, Bronwyn and Madison Liston; 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 time.Memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice House.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.