Eric “Gerb” Ray Askeland was born April 1, 1983, in Sioux City, Iowa. Eric grew up in Sioux City with his parents, Greg and Sue, and his sister, Katy. Eric had a treasured “other family” as well, consisting of Aunt Bitsy, Uncle Steve, and cousins Lizzy and Mike. The families lived near each other in Sioux City and spent weeks every summer at Timber Bay in Northern Minnesota, mostly fishing, but always enjoying the outdoors and becoming ever closer with each other. Eric attended East High School where he played football and basketball and ran track, as a weightman, with a speedy 4x100 team. Eric had a close group of rowdy and wonderful high school friends who had many memorable times together. Some of these times were also quite memorable for Eric’s parents, who, after leaving Eric in charge of the house as they took an occasional evening out, remember returning home to a crushed gutter or chipped kitchen tile. These high school friends became Eric’s lifelong friends, and this circle expanded even further when Eric went to college.

Eric attended and graduated from the University of Iowa, Tippie College of Business. After graduation, Eric took a job with Nestle Purina, which took him to Davenport, Iowa. Not only was his job with Nestle Purina a lifelong pride and joy, his job serendipitously required him to move from Davenport to Flagstaff, Arizona, where he met the love of his life, Erin. Eric and Erin were married in a ceremony in California on June 14, 2014, which was so beautiful that it seemed almost surreal. Their marriage was graced with a love for each other that was deep, broad, and ever growing, even as they moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania; then Richmond, Virginia; then Atlanta, Georgia; and finally, to St. Louis, Missouri.

Eric’s and Erin’s marriage was blessed with three incredible children: their take-charge daughter Emmalyn, their focused and talented son Ethan, and their no-nonsense tough guy, son Everett. Eric achieved his ultimate goal in having such a wonderful and loving family. Eric cherished so many things he and his family did together, including runs with Erin, sports with his children, hikes with his family, having his toenails painted, building Lego creations, fixing things, having game nights, and traveling as a family. Eric especially treasured his memories from these family trips. It was captivating to listen to Eric tell stories about the trips as only Eric could, with great enthusiasm and love, and always with a smile. He also cherished the things he did with his friends, including those many poker games and being kidded about all his Honda Accords.

Eric was committed to his work with Nestle Purina. He loved his work and his coworkers, and they showed their love for him as well in so many ways and on so many occasions. Eric was also proud of his work and many professional accomplishments, including The Forklift Competition, which brought together coworkers from many plants, focused on increasing safety, and engendered connections between the workers. After Eric became ill, Nestle Purina stood by him. For instance, during the most difficult times, Nestle Purina would host Eric and his family at St. Louis Blues and Cardinals games. This raised the family’s spirit as little else could. Eric, like his father before him, kept a meticulous yard, and Eric’s co-workers made sure to keep Eric’s yard just how Eric would have kept it after he no longer could.

Eric died in St. Louis, Missouri on November 2, 2023, at the age of 40, surrounded by family. Eric had melanoma in his 20s, and it reappeared in early 2022. Eric never yielded in his heroic efforts to push back against his cancer. Eric cherished every day that he could help raise his children to be a little bit older, continue the adventurous and loving journey he had started with his wife, tell his sister she was overreacting, keep his mom from annoying him, share engaging stories with his family, eat mother-in-law Laurie’s cooking, watch golf with father-in-law Mark, show his nephews that he was still a better fisherman than they were, take another opportunity to play poker and catch up with his friends, and, of course, watch the Vikings play one more game, including the last being a win over the Packers, with high fives to his children after every Vikings touchdown.

Eric is survived by his wife Erin Askeland, his children Emmalyn, Ethan, and Everett, his mother, Susan Askeland, his sister Katy Herbold (Nick), his nephews Xander, Max, and Emmett Herbold, his niece, baby Tay McMorrow, his grandmother Virginia Askeland, his step-grandmother Joann Askeland, his many aunts, uncles, and cousins, his treasured parents-in-law Mark and Laurie McMorrow, and his brothers-in-law Chris McMorrow (Teresa) and Taylor McMorrow. Eric is also survived by more family and friends than one could count and was blessed with a neighborhood family that provided unquantifiable support. Eric was preceded in death by his father, Greg Askeland, his cousin Michael Corrie, and his cousin Will Tridle.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Eric’s memory to the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF). To donate by check, please note the individual’s name in the memo line of checks.

Melanoma Research Foundation

P.O. Box 719329

PHILADELPHIA, PA 19171-9329

Federal Tax ID Number: 76 0514428