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Dual careers

Tiger alum is licensed to serve his community

Photo by Jody Isaackson Tiger alumnus Alex Erickson fulfills his call to serve his neighbors by being an equipment sales consultant at Titan Machinery in Marshall and also as a licensed funeral director on a part-time basis with Hamilton Funeral Home of Marshall.

MARSHALL — Tiger alum Alex Erickson returned to Marshall to serve his community in both his chosen careers.

But he also returned because of his love for rural life.

“Marshall is a great hub of activity, education and growth, with many activities for young people,” he said. “Plus, I can drive down the road and admire the crops and farmland, and get a little hunting in; does it get any better?”

Erickson, a 2007 Marshall High School graduate, had gone on to get a biology degree from St. John’s University, Collegeville, and a degree in mortuary science from the University of Minnesota after high school.

It was at St. John’s where he met his fiancee, Kylie Palmiscno of Grand Forks, North Dakota, who graduated from the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, in 2011, the same year as Erickson.

“We were friends for a long time,” Erickson said.

Now, the two of them will get married at St. Benedict on July 14.

Palmiscno received her degree in the medical field and a doctorate in physical therapy. She currently works for Big Stone Therapies at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in the hospital as a physical therapist in pediatrics.

Prior to moving back to Marshall, Erickson worked for at least three years as a licensed mortician in the Minneapolis area. He said he was tired of the commute and city life as he is an avid outdoorsman.

Erickson also said that hunting and fishing as well as farming had played a big part in his choice of a biology major in college.

Coming from the rural area and having helped his grandfather on the farm near Hills, Erickson developed a knowledge of farm machinery that led to his main job in Marshall.

Erickson is an equipment sales consultant for Titan Machinery on U.S. Highway 59 North. With his knowledge of equipment and his desire to provide high quality service to his neighbors, Erickson is right at home helping them find the right equipment for their needs, a service he says that translates from the mortuary business.

“With ag equipment, and team effort from parts, service and sales, this job blends together to serve our customers,” he said. “Service is a key factor in for funeral homes, too.”

Erickson is a licensed funeral director in South Dakota as well as Minnesota and continues to use his licensure to help others on a part-time basis.

“I can provide a service of a different scope and give back to the community,” he said. “Most of it is on-call, nights and other times as needed.

“I know what it’s like to lose a loved one, and I understand the importance of integrity while attending families in their time of need,” he said. “Often I personally know the family, which gives them peace of mind having their loved one taken care of by a familiar face.”

Both careers are important to Erickson because he knows he can help people with his services.

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