Brian James Erkkila

Brian James Erkkila (55) passed away unexpectedly Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Superior WI. He was born to Jim and Donna Erkkila on Saturday, June 27, 1970, in Duluth, MN.

He grew up in Maple WI and graduated from Northwestern High School in the class of 1988. He learned the machinist trade at WITC in Superior. He spent over 20 years working as a machinist but suddenly switched careers to truck driving where he would spend most of his time driving for Kwik Trip as a petroleum driver and earlier on, he and his son were coworkers driving for Kwik Trip together. He loved being a petro driver for Kwik Trip.

Brian met the love of his life, Christina Ollanketo, and they married October 23, 1993 in Ashland, WI. They shared their lives just shy of 32 years before his passing. Born to them were Jaryd and Kelly.

Working with his dad he learned all manner of trades. One of his greatest memories was adding a cab and front-end loader to his dad’s 1944 John Deere tractor which he kept running till the day of his passing.

Brian was a loving Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, and Uncle. He is remembered by so many how he was always willing to drop everything and help others. He loved off-roading in his side by side and was eager for snow every winter to hit the trails on his snowmobile often with his wife by his side. Most of all Brian loved helping his family and friends with their projects and took great joy in fixing all sorts of things from lawn mowers to tractors, plumbing to designing remodels, and so much more. Becoming a grandfather was one of his happiest moments in life. You could really see it in the ways his eyes lit up getting to hold them in his arms.

Brian is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Donna Erkkila.

He is survived by his wife Christina Erkkila; son Jaryd (Giovanna) Erkkila and daughter, Kelly (Richard) LeDoux sisters Kim Erkkila and Amy (Bill) Siegel; grandchildren Henry LeDoux and Hazel Erkkila as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation begins at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E 5th Street in Superior. Visitation will continue at 10:00 am Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Mission Covenant Church, 6151 County Road P in Poplar, WI with Brian’s funeral service at 11:00. Interment will follow the service.

His family invites all who knew him and want to share this memory.

To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit www.lenroot-maetzold.com