Althea Grace "Dolly" Emerson, age 84, of Edwardsburg, Michigan, passed away Thursday, August 27, 2009 at East Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Elkhart. Dolly was born November 5, 1924 in Birchwood, Wisconsin to the late Andrew and Grace C. (Garbutt) Haas. She was born and lived on a 13 acre island in Big Lake Chetac. She had to either row a boat, or walk across the ice to the mainland to attend school. Dolly went on to graduate from Birchwood High School, class of 1943. On February 21, 1945, Althea married Mr. Glen Robert Emerson in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he was stationed during the service. In 1949, Dolly and Glen bought a farm on Cleveland Road in Granger, and lived there until 1997, when they bought a house on Eagle Lake in Edwardsburg, Michigan. Glen preceded her in death, passing away in October of 1999. Dolly was also preceded in death by her two sisters, Lorraine Stackowitz and Marion Kelly.
Surviving is her step-mother, Valina Haas Magdlin and her two sons, Gary (Caring) Emerson of Granger, Indiana and David (Cheryl) Emerson of Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Dolly is also survived by four grandchildren, Liberty Mendoza of Elkhart, Indiana, Kimberly (Rusty) Scott of Crystal Lake, Illinois, Jennifer (Christopher) Johnson of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Todd Emerson of Red Lodge, Montana.
Visitation will be held from 2-6 pm Sunday, August 30, 2009 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola. Pastor Larry Whiteford will officiate the 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service on Monday, August 31, 2009 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.
Dolly was employed by the Bendix Corporation for several years, much like "Rosie the Riveter," while her Husband, Glen, served in the Army Air Corps. She later became a homemaker. In her spare time, she enjoyed fishing and playing cards, as well as caring for her cats. Dolly was the happiest when she spent time working in her garden, tending to her flowers.