Roger Emerson

CHASELEY - Roger Merle Emerson, 74, Chaseley, died Sept. 29, 2013, at Bethany Lutheran Home, Brandon, S.D. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at United Methodist Church, Chaseley. Burial will be at Chaseley Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m, today at Nelson Funeral Home, Fessenden.

Roger was born Nov. 8, 1938, in Chaseley, the son of Arthur Emerson and Esther (Schoumaker) Emerson. He grew up in the United Methodist Church, formerly the EUB, was educated in Chaseley and graduated from High School in 1957.

He attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, majoring in business and graduating cum laude with a B.A. in December of 1960. After graduating he worked for Minneapolis Moline and later the Firestone Company based in Devils Lake. He left Firestone to join the family business, first to manage the satellite location in Starkweather before its closure and then returned to Chaseley finishing out his career as a partner and owner of the Emerson's Chaseley Garage.

He was well known and well liked among all the farmers who relied upon the garage for parts and social interaction. He was also a beloved mentor to many, including his niece and nephews who spent many summers with the family in Chaseley along with several of his younger cousins who considered him more as an uncle.

An avid sportsmen; Roger took several trips up deep into Canada for hunting and fishing and any time he could get away, spent hours and hours on Lake Sakakawea fishing for Walleye. In later years, he cared for his parents Art and Esther while maintaining the garage until the lure of fishing led to his retirement.

When Roger was overcome by ill health, his nephew, Mitch, moved to Chaseley to care for him. Upon Mitch's death in 2011, Roger moved to South Dakota to live closer to his sister, Audrey where he remained until his death.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; his nephew, Mitchell Jones; his brother-in-law, Micheal Jones; and his uncle, Matt Emerson.

Roger is survived by his sister, Audrey Jones, Sioux Falls, S.D.; his nephew, Steve Jones, Rapid City, S.D.; his niece, Kristi (Jones) and Jeff Whitney, Sioux Falls, S.D; his uncle, Gordon Emerson, Minot; his aunt, Jane (Schoumaker) and Norman Schaubert, Fargo, and his aunt, Phyllis (Schoumaker) and Howard Cusey, Steele.

In lieu of flowers, family prefers memorials to the Chaseley Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.nelsonfuneralhomesnd.com.