Goodbye to Dora Emerson (1877-1965)

Ed's Day Wednesday

Dear FOLKS,

Each Wednesday I have been sharing the life stories that my late "cousin" Ed Ostrom accumulated in his family history research. I continue to look forward to learning each week what the multitude of Ed's files tell me to write.

This week we conclude the life story of Dora Elisa Emerson nee' Nilson. Dora was Ed's maternal grandmother.

IMAGE: Dora Emerson was taken circa 1950 probably
in Seattle, Washington. Photograph from the album of
Ivene Emerson Goemaere; digital file from the
collection of Edwin J. Ostrom.

After farming on their homestead, in Torning Township, Ward County, North Dakota, in September 1936 Dora and Reinert would retire and settle into a house that was built by some of the carpenters within the family in north Seattle, Washington.

They would enjoy their senior years having their children and grandchildren visit and they also traveled during their retirement. When the weather was good, they also tended their flower garden and tried to grow a vegetable garden when the seasons permitted.

Their travels would lead them to a return trip to Minnesota where both were born and visited siblings and nephew/nieces there. Later a trip to Canada where they would visit their children who had settled in Alberta. This trip occurred about 1942 and would bring many new memories for all involved.

IMAGE: The Emersons visit Alberta circa 1942. Left to right,
Reinert Emerson, Dora Emerson, Laferne Ditch (?), James
Emerson and Lola Emerson Ditch. Photo from the digital files
of Edwin J. Ostrom.

Dora would also be active in neighborhood events in the north Seattle community which she had adopted. One event, she participated in with her daughter(s), was a local Brunch Club event that was likely held to celebrate Mother's Day.

IMAGE: Original of a photograph used in a local
newspaper article. Taken by Martin Moyer a local
Seattle photographer. Circa 1948. Original from
the album of Ivene Emerson Goemaere.Digital
file from the collection of Edwin J. Ostrom.
Transcription of the newspaper caption follows.

-------- transcription begins --------

The caption of an unidentified, undated newspaper article, circa 1948. Photograph included immediately above. It is likely a Seattle paper, published near Mother's Day, May 1948.

Mothers Honored at Brunch Club

   Mothers were honored guests at last Thursday's Brunch Club meeting. Among them were, left to right Mrs. Ellen Martin of Bellingham; Mrs Doris [sic] Emerson, 12547 17th N.E.; Mrs. Nettie Saunders of 9746 Woodlawn; Mrs. Cora Hillier, 730 N. 78th, and Mrs. William McGee, 1426 E. Roy St. Mrs. Saunders received an orchid from Charles E. Sullivan for being the oldest mother in attendance. She is 86. Mrs. Emerson received lingerie from Eve Miller, She has 13 living children. Mrs. Hillier received a seven-pound box of Dent's Candies for the greatest number of children and grandchildren. Her family numbers 7 children, 36 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. --Photo by Martin Moyer.

-------- transcription begins --------

Her family honored her in a number of ways for being such a special person to each of them. One daughter wrote a poem dedicated to her. One of the twin daughters, who were born last to Dora, Verola Angeline Emerson wrote this poem in honor of her mother.

            Mama

You’ve been so kind and good to me,

So loving and sincere,

You’ve taught me how to overcome,

Deceit, false pride and fear.

You taught me all the virtues,

You taught me good from bad,

You’re just about the sweetest mom,

A daughter ever had.

You felt my brow in sickness,

You fed me warm milk toast,

If one of us were deep in pain,

You loved that one the most.

Whenever trials did face you,

To God you’d go to pray,

I guess he must have heard you,

For disaster kept away.

You are our inspiration,

Our beacon and our guide,

Your prayers, your love and kindness,

Will be ever at our side.

I hope that as a mother,

When I am old and grey,

My child will feel the same as I,

Bout me on Mother’s day!

                  by Verola Emerson

Dora's husband, Reinert passed away on 24 November 1950. His cause of death was a rupture of his appendix that caused peritonitis. It was a very difficult time for the entire family as his death was so unexpected. Dora found strength in her children's love and support. As time passed Dora would continue to be an active member of the Woodland Park Church of God. She remained true to her strong spiritual beliefs.

As the years passed, it became increasingly difficult for Dora to live independently and she would eventually be moved to a nearby nursing home in Lynnwood, Washington. Dora Elisa Emerson nee' Nilson would pass away at this nursing home on 10 October 1965 from a paralyzing stroke. Her funeral was held on Thursday, 14 October. What follows is her obituary.

"The Seattle Daily Times," Seattle, Washington, Tuesday, 12 October 1965, page 52:

MRS. REINERT EMERSON

   Funeral services for Mrs. Dora E. Emerson, 88, who died in a Lynnwood nursing home Sunday, will be at 1 o'clock Thursday in the Acacia chapel.  Burial well be in Acacia. 
   Mrs. Emerson,  a native of Paynesville, Minn., moved to Minot, N.D., in 1906 after her marriage.  She came to Seattle about 29 years ago.
   Mrs. Emerson was a member of Woodland Park Church of God.
   Her husband, Reinert, died in 1950.
   Survivors include eight daughters, Mrs. M. L. Meyers and Mrs. Val Goemaere, both of Bothell;  Mrs. Harry Cowe and Mrs. Morris Baarstad, both of Seattle;  Mrs. Stuart Ditch Grande Prairie, Alberta; Mrs. Ed Ostrom, Woodlawn [sic], Ore.;  Mrs Douglas Ralston, Glen Ellyn, Ill., and Mrs. Raymond Olson, Kathryn, N. D.;  five sons, Oliver, Seattle;  James, Ole and Ray all of Eaglesham, Alberta, and William Amerson [sic], Minot;   39 grand-children, and 39 great-grandchildren.
   The family suggested remembrances to the Woodland Park Church of God building fund.

IMAGE: Acacia Memorial Park and Funeral
Home Entrance sign. Permission for use granted
by Find A Grave volunteer Nils M. Solsvik Jr.
with my sincere thanks.

IMAGE: Cemetery map provided by Acacia Memorial
Park with the Manzanita G7 Section highlighted. Dora
and Reinert Emerson are buried in this section. The
blue dot along the road is where their plots are located.

IMAGE: Engraved "MOTHER - DORA E. EMERSON
1877 -- 1965." Digital photo file provided by Edwin J. Ostrom.
Located on G7 Manzanita Section, lot 44, space 1.

IMAGE: Engraved "FATHER - REINERT I. EMERSON
1870 -- 1950." Digital photo file provided by Edwin J. Ostrom.
Located on G7 Manzanita Section, lot 44, space 1.

Dora's funeral would be held with Rev. Wilbur B. Skaggs and Rev. Ralph Docktor officiating. She was then interred next to Reinert. Many were able to attend her service. Once again her family came together to honor a parent/grandparent. We now say "Goodbye" to Dora and Reinert and will now move on to the next earlier  generation in cousin Ed's family tree.

I want to  again thank the extended Emerson family for helping tell the story of Dora and her family. I know I have mentioned this in previous posts -- within Ed's files I found a treasure chest of stories written and told by this family, including Dora herself. To all I offer my thanks for making my work here easy.

Dear FOLKS, thank you too for stopping by to read of Ed's family information that he collected for us.

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