Services for Lola Drusilla Emmel
Lola Drusilla Emmel, 93, passed away on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at Peace Hospice. A graveside service will be held at Maple Hill Cemetery in Clearbrook, Minnesota on Tuesday, May 30, 2017.
Lola was born January 8, 1924 in Norma, North Dakota. She grew up on the family farm with her parents, Harvey and Elsie Emmel. She had two older brothers, Birdell and Villes, and three younger siblings, Arvid, Shirley, and LaVonne.
When she was 10, they were holding revival services with a Rev. and Mrs. Monnes. She accepted Christ as her Savior and the next summer Uncle Cecil, who was her pastor, baptized her in the Mouse River at Axel Johnson’s place.
Times were hard and when Lola was in high school the family packed up all they had, including the horses and cattle, and moved to Clearbrook, MN on the train.
Lola graduated from Clearbrook High School and went on to graduate from St. Paul Bible Institute 72 years ago on May 28, 1945. She also graduated from Bemidji State College obtaining her teaching certificate in 1952. In 1963, she received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the Oregon College of Education.
Lola went to Jamaica under the West Indies Mission, where she taught at the Jamaica Bible School from 1953 to 1956. Back in the U.S. she taught in Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington. She was a teacher for 29 years, retiring in 1984.
She joined Baptist Mid-Missions on July 15, 1969 and in the early 1970’s she moved to Starr School about 7 miles outside of Browning, MT. She worked with her brother Villes and his wife Vivian at the Starr Baptist Church for 4 years.
In the late 1990’s Lola moved to Great Falls, MT. She enjoyed reading, doing embroidery, and going to Bible study at her apartment. She joined the “Foster Grandparent” Program and really enjoyed helping grade-school children read.
Lola is survived by her brother Birdell; sister LaVonne; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Arvid and Villes; and sister Shirley.
Condolences may be shared with the family online at OConnorFuneralHome.com.
