Emerson, Emery "Jeff" (1927-2016)

EMERSON, PTAK

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 12/14/2016 at 15:14:04

Emery "Jeff" Emerson, Jr.
September 5, 1927 - November 13, 2016

Emery "Jeff" Emerson, Jr., age 89, of Sioux City, Iowa, formerly of Storm Lake, Iowa, died on Sunday, November 13, 2016, at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Sioux City.

Emery Harold Emerson, Jr., a son of Florence and Emery H. Emerson, Sr., was born in South Dakota. He was known as “Jr.” in his hometown, Bryant, South Dakota, where he graduated from high school in 1945. He, then, joined the United States Army, where he acquired his nickname “Jeff” while serving his country for a year at the end of World War II.

After his military service, Jeff returned to South Dakota to earn both his Bachelor’s and Law degrees from the University of South Dakota. He began his career in private practice in Lake Preston, South Dakota. Next, he worked for Federated Mutual and later for the United Fire and Casualty Company.

In 1960, Jeff married Patricia Ann Ptak at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Tyndall, South Dakota. Together, they moved to Storm Lake where they were blessed with three children: Paula, Robert, and Eric. In Storm Lake, Jeff practiced law at Edson and Emerson until Wendell Edson retired. Then, he had a solo practice known as the Emerson Law Office. During that time, he also served two terms as Buena Vista county attorney, and then in 1973, he was appointed as a juvenile court judge for Buena Vista, Clay, and Dickinson counties.

A long-time member and past president of Hy-Noon Kiwanis, Jeff was very proud of his many years of perfect attendance. Moreover, he was a fifty-year member of the Iowa State Bar Association. He enjoyed many camping vacations with his family and later by himself. In addition, he liked wood working, golfing, and playing cribbage or bridge with good friends. In 2009, Jeff came to Sioux City to live at Bickford Cottage Assisted Living.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Paula Emerson, of Sioux City; Bob and Jodi Emerson and their daughters, Laura and Julia, of LeMars, Iowa; and Eric and Cindy Emerson and their son, Barret, of West Friendship, Maryland; as well as extended family members and friends. Jeff was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, in 1990 and his brother, William.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 18, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in the Storm Lake Cemetery. Visitation will take place Thursday, November 17, 2016, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Storm Lake Education Foundation, PO Box 638, Storm Lake, Iowa 50588 or to Friends of the Storm Lake Public Library. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is overseeing the arrangements.

Copyright © 2016, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes

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