Elton Howard 'Butch' Emerson, Jr.

Elton Howard “Butch” Emerson, Jr., was born in Mankato, Minn., July 28, 1938 to E. Howard Emerson, Sr. and Mary (O’Master) Emerson. The family moved to Moorhead, Minn. and then West Fargo, N.D. where Butch and his brother Richard

“Dick” grew up and graduated from high school. “Butch” loved athletics and played football, basketball, and baseball in high school and football at Jamestown College where he graduated with a degree in education.

Butch’s first teaching/coaching job was in Plummer, Minn. His wife, Mary-Margaret, joined him there in 1961. In 1963, they moved to Warren, Minn. where they lived for 26 years. In Warren, Howard was a successful coach, father, and entrepreneur. He received numerous awards including the “George Hahn” award, the National Distinguished Service award, and the Minnesota Regional Foster Children award. Howard opened several businesses in both West Fargo and Warren.

Throughout his life, Howard held many jobs and positions, all of them serving others in some capacity. He opened his home and heart to all who knew him, especially the foster children and his four-legged friends. Some of his favorite times were coaching, working with the Minnesota Coaches Association, flying his airplane, driving bus for the NDSU Bison, enjoying his grandchildren, and spending time with family. Howard was known for his positive attitude even through his long illness, always referring to the “silver lining” in everything. Howard passed to a new life on July 26, 2010 with his son, daughter, and wife surrounding him.

Howard was loved greatly by his wife, Mary-Margaret; children, John (Cynthia) Emerson, Minneapolis and Jane (Paul) Holland, West Fargo; grandchildren, Connor, Caylie, Jack, and Grant; brother, Richard (Mary) Emerson, Fargo and many others. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation and prayer services were held on Friday July 30 at West Funeral Home, West Fargo.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church near Pelican Rapids, Minn. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Condolences may be sent online - westfuneralhome.com

(West Funeral Home, West Fargo)

Tags: elton emerson, west fargo, obituaries

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