Emmet Ziemer

Emmet Ziemer, 97, Browns Valley, MN, died Wednesday, August 24, 2011, at the Wilmot Care Center, Wilmot, SD.
Emmet was born October 18, 1913, in Kiester, MN, to William and Emma (Linke) Ziemer. Emmet was the 8th of 9 children. The family moved to a farm south of Browns Valley in March 1920. Emmet attended grade school at Becker Township #4 and graduated from Browns Valley High School in 1933. After graduation, he worked on the family farm with his father.
On March 11, 1941, Emmet married Dorothy Adeline Spencer at the Spencer farm in Beardsley. Following their marriage, they farmed in Becker Township. In 1951 they bought the Ziemer homestead. Milking cows, raising livestock, and farming became their life. Emmet and Dorothy raised 5 children, Darlene, Diane, Eugene, Jolene, and Janice. Emmet retired from farming in 1977. During retirement, they enjoyed fishing, camping, making quilts, and visiting their friends and relatives. Dorothy passed away August 22, 2009. Emmet remained on the farm until April 2010 when he entered the Wilmot Care Center. Emmet took pride in the fact he was able to manage the farm and his affairs until 96 years of age.
Emmet enjoyed farming, fishing, hunting, and playing cards at Butch's in Browns Valley. He loved visiting neighbors, going to the Hurlbut's on the 4th of July, and taking Sunday afternoon drives with Dorothy to survey the crops. Emmet enjoyed taking his grandchildren on tractor rides, teaching them to pick rock, and trying to dump them off the toboggan in the snow. Other highlights included watching baseball, South Dakota High School basketball tournaments, and listening to gospel music. He rarely missed watching the Kentucky Derby each May. Emmet marked each spring by picking a bouquet of mayflowers from the meadow for Dorothy. He was Dorothy's loving caregiver for many years before she entered the care center.
Survivors include four daughters, Darlene (Wally) Fischer of Groton, SD, Diane (Dale) Bartz of Marshall, MN, Janice (Michael) Beck of Eden Prairie, MN, and Jolene (Eric) Goodrich of Royalton, MN; six grandchildren, Kelle (Tammy) Hein, Todd (Kim) Bartz, Ty Bartz, Cody (Shari) Jarman, Taylor Beck and Heidi Goodrich; and 12 great-grandchildren. Emmet was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; son, Eugene; grandson, Kent Hein; and 8 brothers and sisters.
Funeral service was Thursday, September 1, at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Presbyterian Church in Browns Valley. Visitation was from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church.