Tobias Erickson

Tobias “Toby” Lee Erickson, 63, of Billings, Montana passed away suddenly at his home on February 5, 2025, following a cardiac event. His beloved wife, Missy, daughter, Emily, and dog, Bailey, were by his side as he left this world.

Christened a “turkey baby” by his mother, Toby was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1961, to Gertrude (Clifton) Erickson and Myron Erickson in Sisseton, South Dakota while the family resided in New Effington, South Dakota. Toby was the second youngest in a family of five children. Gertie and Myron set an excellent example of tenacity and industry for their children by opening their own company, Dependable Sanitation, in the face of many challenges including severe damage to their home by a tornado and Myron's suffering a debilitating stroke. These characteristics were present in every aspect of Toby's life and were values he instilled in his children.

As a child, Toby loved creating mischief and cracking jokes, as well as many athletic pursuits, mainly wrestling and football. Toby went on to compete individually for Groton High School in the South Dakota State Championship Wrestling Tournaments of 1978,1979, and 1980, taking home first place for his weight class (112lbs) in 1979. Following his graduation from Groton High School in 1980, Toby was offered a wrestling scholarship to attend Montana State University in Bozeman where he found his two great loves. MSU Bobcat Football and his

soulmate, Missy Newville.

In June of 1981, Missy and Toby met at the now-defunct Bozeman bar, The Slide Company. She asked him to dance, and he filled her beer mug for a quarter; they have been inseparable since. They shared their first official date eating Pickle Barrel Cheesesteaks next to Hyalite Reservoir. Toby and Missy were married at the Holy Rosary Church in Bozeman on August 6, 1983, and shared 41 years of adventures. Toby was readily accepted by the Newville family and formed a close bond with Ron, Missy's father, based on their shared love for card games, hunting, and fierce competition.

After a brief stint in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Missy and Toby moved back to Bozeman, Montana in 1984 where they welcomed their first daughter, Emily Ann, in 1988. Toby returned to

MSU shortly after Emily's birth and graduated in June 1992 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. It is here that he met his lifelong best friend, Camrin Koenig.

Toby's job then relocated the family to Tucson, Arizona where his second daughter, Addysin Nicole, was born in 1993. As Toby continued to excel in his career, the family moved to Houston, Texas then Corona, California, and finally settled back in Houston, Texas. For the next 13 years, Toby reveled in hosting numerous backyard pool parties, Thanksgiving celebrations, and countless motorcycle rides with Missy through the Texas backcountry. During this time, Emily married Darin Zanto in 2010, and he quickly became the son that Toby never had. In 2013, Emily proudly recruited Toby to Anvil Corporation as a Senior Project Manager, where he celebrated his 10th anniversary with the company in December of 2023. Working together was one of the greatest joys of both father and daughter. Missy and Toby happily relocated to Billings, Montana just in time for the birth of their first granddaughter Peyton Ella Zanto in 2014. In 2019, they welcomed their second granddaughter Paige Emerson Zanto. In the fall of 2022, Addy had the privilege of her dad escorting her down the aisle when she married Patrick Costello, and with this Toby's family was complete.

While Toby was a talented engineer and leader, he excelled in his roles as “Daddy” and “Papa,” and he adored his girls. He walked the perfect line between a nonjudgmental protector

and a trusted advisor. He beamed with pride anytime he talked about his family and was always happy to brag about their achievements to any passing stranger or co-worker.

Toby also had a unique gift of genuine play that inspired children and adults alike to have fun and cut loose. In his last few years, he leaned into all the things that brought him joy: hosting poker parties, movie line drops at work with Emily, camping trips with family, guiding giant flotillas down the Madison River, competitively fishing with Addy, perfecting his Old

Fashioned recipe with Darin, golfing after work, playing made up games with his grand girls, spoiling his dog, Bailey, going to Bobcat football games with his nephew, Nick, and most of all

traveling with his great love, Missy, all over the country in their camper the “Mellencamp Mansion”.

He was an “expert” on everything (and he would tell you how you are doing it wrong), an insanely good corn hole and card game player, a devoted husband of 41 years, a fascinating

storyteller, a Bobcat fan through and through, every kid's favorite playmate, a passionate trash talker, a steadfast friend, an excellent cocktail maker, the best Papa to his grand girls and about a million other wonderful things. To know him really was to love him! His presence will leave a lasting void in the lives of all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Missy of Billings, MT daughters; Addy (Patrick) of Bozeman, MT, and Emily (Darin), granddaughters; Peyton and Paige of Billings, MT; his mother Gertrude of Groton, SD, brothers; Mike (Carolyn) of Aberdeen, SD, and Terry (Marilyn) of Springfield, MO; sisters; Tami (Rich) Zimney of Ferney, SD, and Tracey (Neil) Erickson of Republic, MO; brothers-in-law; Sam (Jan) Newville of Bozeman, MT, and Tony (Deborah) Newville of Bozeman, MT, as well as, numerous nieces and nephews.

Toby was preceded in death by his father, Myron, father-in-law, Ron Newville, mother-in- law, Jeannine Newville, and many beloved family dogs - Jessie, Sadie, Molly, Monte, and

Shayla.

Three celebrations of life will be held in different locations that were important to Toby. The first to be held in Billings on March 8th, 2025, from 3-7 pm at the Laurel Golf Club where

drinks and appetizers will be served. Please come prepared to share your favorite “Toby” story. The Groton, SD Celebration of Life will be held in Spring 2025. The Bozeman, MT Celebration of Life will be held in Summer 2025. Details on these events will be announced as plans come together.

In lieu of flowers, Toby's family asks that you crack open a Miller Lite for him and/or contribute to the Montana Wildlife Federation to help conserve wildlife, habitat, and outdoor

public access.