Emily Vandesteeg

Emily C. Vandesteeg, age 83, of Sauk Centre died Monday, March 6, 2006 at the St. Michael's Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9 at First United Church of Christ in Sauk Centre with Rev. James Clausen officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Sauk Centre.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the church.

Emily Vandesteeg was born in Charleston, South Carolina on May 17, 1922 to Isaac Ripon Wilson and Emily P. Chisolm Wilson. Her family moved to Yonges Island, a barrier island, 20 miles south of Charleston. She attended local schools and graduated from St. Paul's High School. She took a post graduate course in shorthand, typing and bookkeeping. During World War II, Emily moved to Charleston and took a clerical job at the naval base. On January 18, 1947 Emily married David E. Vandesteeg of Sauk Centre, Minnesota at Grace Episcopal Church in Charleston. They moved to Chicago where David received his degree in Optometry. Emily worked at Billings Hospital as a ward secretary during that time. In 1950 they moved to Sauk Centre, Minnesota. They had two girls, Debra and Robin. Emily was a member of First United Church of Christ in Sauk Centre. She belonged to Gradatim Club and was a former member of Eastern Star. Emily enjoyed going south during the winters since 1980. She also enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading and golf. Her pride and joy was her family.

Survivors include her husband, David Vandesteeg of Sauk Centre; daughters, Debra Johnson (Craig) of Ramsey and Robin Peterik (Richard) of Plainfield, Illinois; three grandchildren, Benjamin and Karl Johnson and Kimberley Peterik.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Casket bearers will be Benjamin and Karl Johnson, Vern Meyer, Bill Voller, Greg Vandesteeg and Marwin Brown. Honorary bearers will be Kimberley Peterik, Red and Lois Emblom, Glenna Walker, Dale Emmel, Jerry Vandesteeg, and Tony Schneiderhan.

Memorials are preferred.