EMMA MARIE NELSON obituary

Emma Marie (Stromberg) Nelson, 87, of Havre died Sunday, July 3, 2005, at Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. July 18 at First Lutheran Church with the Rev. Brad Ulgenes officiating. A private family interment will be held at her request.

Emma Marie was born Aug. 9, 1917, in Havre to Orvil and Lucille Stromberg. She attended Havre Public Schools and graduated in 1935 from Havre High School. She attended Northern Montana College from 1935-1937. She worked at the H. Earl Clack Company for eight years.

Emma Marie married Al H. Nelson in September of 1941. During the war years, they both worked at Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Wash., until the spring of 1942. They returned to Havre in 1945 and operated Nelson Electric until 1947, when they opened up the Viaduct Implement Company, a farm machinery business that they operated until 1963.

Emma Marie worked as a bookkeeper/secretary for Flynn Insurance, Don's Medical Pharmacy, Chris Fuglevand and Co., and Century 21 Real Estate. She retired in April of 1983.

After retiring, Emma Marie traveled to Norway with Concordia College. She was a member of SCORE, the Sons of Norway and First Lutheran Church, serving on its Deacon and Evangelism boards along with serving as secretary and on the Board of Directors for fund-raising. Emma Marie sang in the church choirs, starting with the junior choir and continuing with the choirs for several years. She always enjoyed music. Emma Marie served as treasurer of the Lutheran Home of The Good Shepherd until Northern Montana Hospital took it over in 1994.

Emma Marie enjoyed traveling and photography. She donated many years of volunteer work to various organizations. She had been on the alumni board of directors of Northern Montana College for several years, to help keep the interests in Northern Montana College, which is now Montana State University-Northern.

Emma Marie was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Orvil and Ben Stromberg.

Survivors include her niece, Karen Evans of Havre; nephews, Howard (Howie) Stromberg of Havre, Russell Stromberg of Kirkland, Wash., Ken Stromberg of Crookston, Minn., Ben Stromberg of Butte and Mike Stromberg of Grand Forks, N.D .; and several great-nephews and great-nieces.

Memorials in Emma Marie's honor may be made to First Lutheran Church or to the Montana State University-Northern Foundation.

Arrangements are entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.