David W. Erkkila
78 of Ashland, Wisconsin
Passed on December 14, 2025 at the St. Mary’s Essentia Health Hospital in Duluth MN due to
complications of a stroke.
David was survived by:
Spouse of 58 years, Dione Erkkila
Son, Dale (Nancy) Erkkila
Daughter, Dana (Mark) Cook
Granddaughters: Kaitlyn (Isaak) Whitbey, Hannah Erkkila, Grace Erkkila, and Analisa Erkkila
Sister, Ruth Erkkila.
David Erkkila was born in Superior, Wisconsin to Violet (Nelson) and Walter Erkkila the
second of two children. David met his wife of 58 years in college at the University of Wisconsin,
Stout. Later, they both became teachers and had a life long career of 34 years at the Ashland
Public Schools. David used his industrial arts skills and refined craftsmanship to build this
lifelong home, barn, and stables, with trees he cut from his family’s farm and sawed into lumber
at his uncle’s sawmill. In this beloved home, David and Dione spent most of their lives
cherishing freedom, independence, and peace.Throughout his life he loved raising horses,
hunting, fishing, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. At age 56, David began
to enjoy retirement, during which time he and Dione took pleasure in extensive travel to
destinations that were both foreign and domestic.
“You may be gone from our sight, but never gone from our hearts.”
