Robert Emery

Robert Arthur Emery, 89, of rural Erhard, MN, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at his current home at the Pelican Valley Senior Living Care Center with family at his side.

Robert Arthur was born on September 28, 1936 to Lawrence A. and Tillie M (Stensrud) Emery at their home in Friberg Township, rural Erhard, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Tonseth Lutheran Church and served as the Cemetery Sexton for numerous years. He attended school at Rugg School District #187 in Edwards, MN, completing the 8th grade. Robert served in the National Guard for 8 years alongside his brother Ervin.

On July 20th, 1963 Robert married Elsie Eileen Thom at Central Lutheran Church near Pelican Rapids, MN. They made their home on a piece of the Emery family farm situated on their beloved Tonseth Lake in Friberg Township, Erhard, MN where they raised their family and remained together into their senior retirement years.

Robert was a hard-working person that provided for his family both in childhood and his adult life. Working alongside his father and brothers on their family farm they were able to overcome many hardships. They also worked both with and for many area farmers during harvest times. He hauled milk for the Erhard Creamery and then retired from working at the Fergus Falls State Hospital; first on the hospital's dairy farm, and then in housekeeping after they closed the farming department.

Robert's personal passions, beyond his loving family, were his sincere appreciation and preservation of God's beautiful world. He was able to see beauty in everything - the clouds in the sky, the amazing colors of sunsets, the wildflowers and butterflies. He also loved watching and feeding the songbirds and deer. Critters of all sizes were of interest to him in the habitat surrounding his home and the ecosystem of the lakes and streams. He knew facts about many ponds and lakes in the area. He volunteered and participated in numerous programs collecting and reporting data to various agencies to help support conservation efforts throughout the area. Some of the monitoring activities included: rain monitoring, lake freezing & thawing reporting, and the Great Backyard Bird Count. He also participated in the DNR Fish Restocking Project in Tonseth Lake.

One of his greatest achievements was placing his portion of the Emery family farm into the Minnesota Land Trust to forever preserve the land in its natural state and to prevent further development so that future generations could enjoy the peace, tranquility and love of the land. He created a series of both driving and walking trails, campsites, and access to both lakes within this piece of property. He very much enjoyed taking family, friends and neighbors back to this piece of land to share his passion. He also enjoyed introducing many people to "Ruffy"; a ruffed grouse that he befriended over a short period of years. Dad would drive out to an area and wait quietly and within a few minutes, Ruffy would join him.

Robert was a kind, gentle man that had a quiet way about him that people loved to be with. He was born into a family that endured many difficult times but were able to rise above their hardships by loving each other and living life with great humor. He was always a participant in the fun by usually following up his siblings' joshing around with a good, solid, well executed "one liner". Their family loved music and played in a band, often holding family jam sessions and performing at local dance halls. He had enjoyed fishing since childhood and eventually enjoyed being more of a fishing guide to his family and friends. To him it wasn't about catching the fish himself; it was about the enjoyment others were having on a boat ride or seeking out just the right fishing spot.

Robert was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His pride in Pam and Arlinda was evident throughout their childhood and adult lives; always marveled by and ready to celebrate every milestone, even the smallest ones. EVERYTHING had significance worth appreciating. He also loved his grandchildren as every new child was a miracle to him. He took great care and patience in the time he spent with them. He couldn't have been more proud of each one of them. Then came his great-grands. He was immensely honored with the arrival of every new addition, reveling in awe of new life each time.

Even though Robert was not a boisterous person by nature, his FAITH in God was GREAT. He trusted the Lord with his whole heart during difficult times and praised and celebrated Him the rest of the time. When he was faced with cancer his response was always, "I give it to God and do whatever the doctors say." His girls and grandchildren learned how deep his trust in the Lord was and know that witnessing his Faith was the greatest lesson he could have ever taught us.

Preceding him in death was his loving wife, Elsie; his parents, Lawrence and Tillie; his parents-in-law Edwin and Mary Thom; twin grandsons, Andrew & Erik Colosky; and brother Ervin Emery.

Robert is survived by his two daughters, Pamela (David) Colosky and Arlinda (Ted) Tollefson all of Pelican Rapids; Six grandchildren, Chelsey (Austin) Aasness, Alyssa (Masson) Price, Dillon Colosky, Brianna Colosky, Nathan (Brittany) Tollefson and Derek (Tess Hubbard) Tollefson; six great-grandchildren, Lindy, Maxwell and Bodie Aasness, Everhett and Violette Price, and Elsie Tollefson; siblings, Gary (Nancy) Emery and Sylvia Dutcher; Sister-in-law Linda Emery; and numerous nieces and nephews.

After living a good life of 89 years, Robert was called home by his Lord and Savior. His journey here on earth was filled with many lessons and experiences. He was a humble, gentle soul that will be greatly missed by those he touched and inspired, while at the same time, celebrating a life well lived.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Olson Funeral and Cremation Chapel in Fergus Falls, with visitation one-hour prior to the service.

Clergy: Allen Westby S.A.M.

Interment: Tonseth Cemetery, rural Erhard, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com