Lola Emery

Celebration of Life Service for Lola Emery, 84, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker with Pastor Jeremy Vester officiating. Visitation will take place one hour prior to service.

Burial will take place at Beaver Lodge Cemetery.

Lola Marie (Knoedler) Emery went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 9, 2022.  She died peacefully at Fallon Medical Complex Long Term Care in Baker. 

Lola Marie was born on December 4, 1937, to Carl & Gladys (Brand) Knoedler in Lexington, NE.  The oldest of four children, she grew up on the family ranch, doing chores, riding horses, and loving animals, especially her cats.  She attended Four Shoe Bend country school until 8^th grade. At that time tragedy struck the family as her father contracted polio.  Difficult for the whole family, her dad died when she was only 12 years old.  Lola took care of many things after this time, because her youngest sister had been born just four days before her dad passed. 

After 8th grade, Lola transitioned from country school to Lexington High School in Lexington, NE.  During her senior year of high school, the family moved to a ranch outside Valentine, NE, where she graduated high school in 1956.  Following high school graduation, she attended and graduated from National Business College in Rapid City, SD. She then took a job teaching business in Buffalo Gap, South Dakota where she met the love of her life, Vernon Emery.  They were married in Buffalo Gap on May 24, 1959.  After working a short time on Vernon’s family ranch, then a short stay in Hot Springs where she worked as a secretary for the VA Hospital, Lola and Vernon began moving throughout the Black Hills where Vernon and his brother Dale were putting in power lines.  During this time, Lola was a homemaker, a beautiful seamstress, and crocheted intricate doilies and warm afghans.

Eventually, Lola and Vernon settle down in Presho, South Dakota, where they built their first home. Desiring children, Lola and Vernon tried for 10 long years. They were blessed with the opportunity to adopt Melanie Jo, followed by Lisa Mae almost 2 years later.  It was discovered when Lola was 36 years old that she was a Type 1 brittle diabetic.  At that time, her doctor told her that she would not live long.  Lola became very detailed and careful to do her best in eating properly and maintaining her blood sugars.  In March 1978, Vernon was hired to be the manager of Southeast Electric Cooperative in Ekalaka, and the family moved there.

Lola loved gardening especially her flower gardens were admired by many.  She enjoyed crocheting, and cross-stitching, but eventually taught herself about computers designing her own website with birthday greetings, anniversary greetings, and more.  She loved her kitty cats, especially Shadow.  When Vernon retired in 2000, they went to many places with their camper and boat, taking in fishing excursions.  Upon Vernon’s passing in 2018, she was determined to live on her own despite her family’s wishes.  She proved she could do it for many months, but eventually moved to Superior Care Villa Assisted Living where she said, “This was exactly what Vernon wanted for me!”  In March 2022, Lola moved to long-term care at Fallon Medical where she resided until her passing.

Lola was preceded in death by her loving husband, Vernon, her parents Carl, Sr. & Gladys as well as her brother Carl, Jr.

She is survived by daughters Melanie (Steve) Lund, Wibaux, and Lisa Cross, Billings; grandchildren Tasha Rainey, Billings; Angus (Briley) Lund, Wibaux, Cooper Lund, Wibaux, Hope Lund, Spearfish, SD; great-grandchildren Kobe and Maddie; sisters Dorothy North, Omaha, NE; Vicki (Dave) Childers of Lakeland, FL; Louise Knoedler, Camarillo, CA; Gloria Emery, Custer, SD; Gary (Jean) Emery, Eugene, OR; numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donation be made to Fallon Medical Complex or Superior Care Villa, Baker in remembrance of Lola.