Conrad Emerson

Conrad A. Emerson, 92, of Baxter, died Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at Senior Class Home Health Care in Nisswa. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brainerd. Family and friends are invited to gather 5-7 PM, Monday, September 2 at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. Interment with Military Honors will be held at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley.

Conrad was the first of three children, born on February 9, 1921 in Minneapolis. He graduated from Marshall High School in Minneapolis where he excelled in wrestling and football. He also participated in speed skating and went on to win the Silver Skate Championship for the city of Minneapolis. In 1942, at the age of 21, Conrad enlisted in the US Army Air Corp and served for four years. He was stationed in Madison, WI at Traux Field where he was a physical education instructor for fellow troops during WWII. While in the service he met his wife, Mary Ann Hoffland, and they were married in St. Louis, MO in 1946. In 1946, after the war was over he finished his education at the University of Minnesota with a degree in General Science and Physical Education and lettered in wrestling and played football. Conrad's teaching career began in Blue Earth, MN where he established and coached the school's first wrestling team. He went on to teach for two years at Edina High School and the following 30 years was spent at Washburn High School in Minneapolis where he taught physical education. Conrad was most known for his many years of coaching wrestling, track & field, cross-country and becoming the Athletic Director for Washburn High School. He went on to receive the honor of being inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. In 1981, he retired. Conrad and Mary Ann were blessed with 68 years of marriage. They raised six children while living in Minneapolis and Burnsville. They retired at their lake home on Upper Sylvan Lake in the Brainerd Lakes Area, and most recently have enjoyed living at Excelsior Place in Baxter. He was a long time member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd.

Conrad's favorite things to do included: riding bike, fishing, reading, and spending time with family and friends at his lake home, where everyone was welcome.

Conrad Emerson has touched many lives and hearts and will be sadly missed by all.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann (Hoffland) Emerson; children, Katherine (Dennis) Castle, of Eagan, Margaret (Randy) Thiel, of Baxter, Jill (Gary) Otterstad, of Pillager, daughter-in-law, Trudi Emerson, of Eagan; Mary (Steve) Olson, of Baxter, and Gina (Tim) Dwyer, of Eagan; brother, Gerald (Barb) Collier, of Maui, HI; 19 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Emerson, Gladys (Aasen), and Myron Schabert; son, Jay Emerson, sister, Dorothy Jarness; and brother-in-law, Haakon Jarness.