Emma Josephine Randklev

Emma Randklev passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, February 17, at Eventide Care Center in Moorhead, MN at the age of 103. 

 She was born August 24, 1920, in Vassar, Manitoba to August and Rose Schindler.  After fire destroyed the family business, in 1939 Emma moved with her parents, and siblings Ray, Floyd, and Millie to Barnesville, joining other family members in their farming enterprises.  She worked a variety of jobs in and around Barnesville until the onset of WWII, eventually moving to Fargo with her best friend, Dorothy, and working primarily in West Fargo meatpacking industry.  Emma loved dancing and a good party, and despite austere times, she and Dorothy found means to fulfill those passions.  After the war, Emma moved back to Barnesville and operated “The Coach”, a short-order diner remodeled from an old railroad car.  It was in that time she met and married her husband of 63 years, Lloyd Randklev.  They were blessed with four children:  Keith (Beth), Darrel (Beth), Phil, and Renae (Don Setter).  When the kids were all in school she started working outside the home, serving as a cook at the popular Emery’s Café, the Side Pocket, and then the Galaxy Supper Club during its hiatus – she loved that job!  The last years of her working career were with Kise Commons Food Service at Moorhead State University.  

Wherever she worked, and with whomever she came in contact, Emma always brought a warm smile and an endearment to each person.  Her goodness and kindness was obvious to all.    Emma was a person of genuine, sincere faith, and passed those values on to her children, 15 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.  Her retirement years found her immersed in church activities, enjoying travel experiences with her family, relaxing with family at their lake cabins, and, of course, numerous shopping trips to Fargo with Millie.  But, what she cherished most was attending her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s activities.  Every opportunity to attend a concert, recital, hockey, baseball, or basketball game was sheer joy for her and ranked right behind dancing as her favorite pastime.  Moist kisses, warm hugs, oodles of sweet treats, and tons of unconditional love was the norm! 

 In 2010 Emma and Lloyd moved to Eventide Assisted Living, where she fully embraced the wide range of activities and its residents.  Despite Lloyd’s passing in 2011, her time in assisted living marked a fulfilling chapter in her life.  Her health declined in 2022, forcing her to move to the Nursing Home wing of Eventide for her remaining days.  From an early age, music and dancing filled her soul.  Whether songs emanating from the radio, live music on a night out, or the rhythms of a wedding dance, everyone knew Emma would be putting in the footwork.  Now we all can take satisfaction knowing she has found Heaven’s Party Room, where there is continuous music and an unlimited supply of dance partners.  

Emma is survived by her sister, Millie Wohlwend, and numerous nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by her parents and siblings Madeline Vauclair, Lily Hovorka, Ray, Charles, Floyd, and infant siblings Mary and Wally.  

Emma’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, March 7, 11:00am, at Barnesville Assumption Church.  Visitation will be from 9am -11am at the church, with interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery following the service.  Memorials to Assumption Catholic Church, the Cully’s Kids Foundation, or the charity of your choice.