Carol A. Emery

Carol Ann Emery, 71, of Walker, MN died Thursday October 11, 2007. She was born August 11, 1936 in Ames, IA to Kenneth and Ila Wells. She graduated from Ames High School and attended Iowa State University, graduating in 1957 with a degree in Home Economics and Child Development. In 1958, Carol was united in marriage to Jim Groth, Jr. The couple moved to Walker, where they co-owned and operated Walker Boat Service at the City Dock. While raising her three children, Tina, Skip, and Dixie, Carol taught Home Economics at Walker High School for 19 years. She then changed her career and worked in the Financial Aide Dept. at Cass Co. Social Services until her retirement. In 1976, Carol married Phillip Emery and eventually settled in their "dreamhome" on Shing –o-bee of Bay of Leech Lake.Carol served as Shing-o-bee Township clerk for several years. She was involved in numerous committees and groups, most recently the Cass Co. Civil Service Committee; Walker-Hackensack-Akeley school board member; and Park Rapids Classic Chorale. She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, where she was actively involved in all the music organizations.An avid writer, Carol sent weekly newsletters to her family, along with Christmas letters to family and friends. She loved to travel, and some highlights in her retirement years included class reunions, a Chorale trip to Europe, and a volunteer trip to Appalachia. Her special hobbies included reading, needlework, and planting new shrubs and flowers in her yard.Countless hours were spent with her treasured grandchildren. Grandma Carol always had projects and activities both indoors and outside for them planned. The "teacher" part of her taught them the value of family, nature and wildlife. Carol actively took part in activities with them including canoeing, playing tennis, or accompanying on the piano for singing performances. School events in which her grandchildren participated were a top priority with her, and they knew they could count on Grandma being there, often with camera in hand.She is survived by her son Skip Debra Groth of Walker; daughter, Dixie JacobsonSteve of Forest Lake, MN; grandchildren, Josh, Katrina, and Nikki Groth, Olivia and Miranda Jacobson, Kendall and Keely Sisco; son-in-law, Jeff Petersen of Cove, OR; mother, Ila Wells of Mt. Iron, MN; sister, Mary Louie Karakash of Mt. Iron, MN; brother Steve Wells Kathy of Michigan; and many relatives and friends.Her husband, Phillip Emery; daughter, Tina Groth Petersen; and her father, Kenneth Wells, preceded her in death.Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Lutheran Church Music Fund.