Emily Rodrick
November 20, 1940 ~ September 3, 2016
Emily Jean Rodrick was born on November 20th, 1940, in Oronoco, MN. The youngest child of Arbie and Helen Rodrick, she graduated high school in Byron in 1958 and soon moved to the Twin Cities area. She took a job at the Midland Glass Factory in their quality control division.
In the spring of 1965, she moved in with her older sister, Mary R. Stanley, upon the death of Mary’s husband, Robert, and became a second mother to Mary’s children Valerie, Sheri, Brett and Troy. She was an active member of her local church, a local rep for her union, and an avid softball player for her company’s team.
In 1974, she and her lifelong friend, Janis Alexander, moved to Park Rapids, MN and opened Jemstar Wilderness Campground, clearing trees and building the facility from the ground up. Creating an oasis for nature lovers and sportsmen alike, she and Jan hosted annual camping events and winter snowmobile runs. At this time, their nephew Ken Rodrick also came to live with them while he attended Park Rapids Senior High.
In later years, Em was the assistant manager for Ace Hardware in Park Rapids and became known for her expertise in paint mixing, providing tips and insight for many homeowners and craftspeople. She was a beloved member of the Riverside United Methodist Church, serving on many committees over the years and ending with the chairmanship of the Board of Trustees.
A great lover of nature and animals, Em and Jan opened up their home to many dogs and cats over the years and kept other outdoor wildlife well cared for. Everyone who knew Em knew she loved the Minnesota Vikings. She was a true fan and loved them through thick and thin.
Em had a close relationship with her many nieces and nephews and their families. She shared a special relationship with her niece, Sheri Dennis, as well as Sheri’s children, Heather (fiancé Jeff Folz) and Jeremy, and Heather’s daughter, Mercedes, (Em’s great-great niece), and her nephew Ken Rodrick and his wife, Julee.
Em suffered heart failure and passed away on Saturday, Septemeber 3rd, 2016 at Essentia in Fargo, ND.
Emily is preceded in death by her parents, her older sister, Mary R. Stanley and her infant sister Elizabeth. She is survived by her lifelong friend Janis Alexander, her brother James (Mary) Rodrick of Byron and her brother Arbie Rodrick Jr. of Yuma, AZ. She is also survived by nieces and nephews Valerie (Thomas) Oestreich, Sheri Dennis, Brett (Wendy Cox) Stanley, Troy (Michael Mitchell) Stanley, Ken (Julee) Rodrick, Jim (Melissa) Rodrick, Robyn (Chris Long) Rodrick, Nathan (Kim) Rodrick, Christine Rodrick, James Rodrick, Jr., Andrea (Mark) Hollerud and several great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.
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My heart breaks at having to say goodbye to this wonderful lady!! I have known Em since I was a teenager…she and Jan are part of our family. I have so many wonderful, hilarious memories of Jemstar, camping with them, the Jemstar Jamboree and just spending time playing cards and laughing. In the last several years, I was not able to get away to go see them as often as before and we kind of lost touch. I am regretting the lack of effort I put forth to get to Park Rapids more often. I was not aware Mary Ruth had passed away either….My thoughts and prayers are with you all…..They were both wonderful, loving, caring funny ladies and they will be missed.