Emmett D. Ness • 1918 - 2011

Emmett D. Ness, 93, Battle Lake, MN, formerly of Minot, ND, died Saturday, December 3, 2011, in his home in Battle Lake.

Emmett David Erickson Ness was born January 6, 1918, a son of Wier and Hannah (Danielson) Erickson, on a farm in Renville County, north of Carpio, ND. His father, Wier, passed away in September of 1918. His mother later married Alfred P. Ness at Kenmare, ND. He attended schools at Kenmare, Lewistown, MT, Minot, Mohall, and Coteau, graduating from Coteau High School in 1938.

He began his employment with the Great Northern Railway in 1939 and served as a telegrapher, station agent, and train dispatcher with the Great Northern and Burlington Northern Railroads until his retirement in May of 1981.

Emmett served with the United States Army Signal Corps from July of 1942 to September of 1946, and with the U.S. Army Reserves for many years.  

Emmett married Elizabeth Tracy “Libby” Johnson November 29, 1941, in Bowbells, ND. They made their home in Aylmer, Brooklyn, NY, and Hamberg, ND, before moving to Des Lacs, ND, in 1948.

While at Des Lacs, he served on various city boards and committees. He served as school board clerk for several years. He was also a member of the Des Lacs Volunteer Fire Department and was an active member of the Des Lacs St. Vincent’s Catholic Church.

Emmett and Libby then moved to Minot in 1978. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Fraternal Order of the Elks. He was a long time member of the Minot American Legion Post # 26, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, and the American Train Dispatchers Association. He was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Minot.

Libby passed away December 4, 2004. In 2007, Emmett moved to Battle Lake, MN, to be closer to family.

His loving family includes:  son, Thomas (Denise) Ness of Battle Lake, MN, and Robert (Sharon) Ness of Fridley, MN; daughters, Teresa Ness, Neenah, WI, Mary Tandy, Milwaukee, WI, Patricia (Dan) Piercy, Fountain Valley, CA; and Veronica (James) Larkin, Oxnard, CA; 11 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; one great great-grandchild; sister-in-law, Colleen Mickelsen, Minot; brothers-in-law, Bill Siebert, Minot, and Lyle Sundin, Pennsylvania; and numerous nieces, and nephews.

Emmett was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Libby; son, Michael; and brothers, Al and Bob.

Funeral: Friday, December 9, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
Following the service, there will be a time of fellowship and lunch at the Knights of Columbus from Noon until 2:00 pm.

Interment:  Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND.

Visitation:  Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials: are preferred to the food pantry at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Minot.

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