Lillian Gerda (Bonde) Emerson
August 23, 1930 – March 14, 2021
Lillian Gerda (Bonde) Emerson was born on August 23, 1930, in Hutchinson, Minnesota, to Andrew and Elsie (Zipf) Bonde. A graduate of the Hutchinson High School Class of 1948, Lil moved to Minneapolis soon after graduation.
After marrying, Lil raised a family of four boys across three states (Minnesota, New York, and Oklahoma). The family settled in Edmond, Oklahoma, in 1974 and Lil lived here until her passing. She enjoyed attending St. John the Baptist Catholic Church while here in Edmond.
Lil had a long career as a bookkeeper at Lyntone Belts in Edmond until her retirement in 1996. Lil was fiercely independent (and sometimes ornery, a trait which she passed on to all of her four boys). Lil was known for her home cooking and, especially, her Christmas cookies. She started baking and freezing in October before mailing numerous tins to family and friends. In recent years, in an attempt to “slow down,” she farmed out the Christmas cookie baking to her kids and grandkids, acting more in a consulting role as “issues” arose. She especially enjoyed keeping up with and spending time with her kids, grands, and great-grands when she could. She also greatly enjoyed her outings and drinking coffee with her friends from church or at the senior center. Coffee wasn’t her only favorite beverage. Lil enjoyed an evening glass of wine when her health would allow.
Lillian passed away on March 14, 2021, at the age of 90 after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Lil is survived by her four sons, Gregory (and Janice) Emerson, Stephen (and Ellen) Emerson, Michael (and Amy) Emerson and Harry (and Kristin) Emerson; seven grandchildren, Jeremy Emerson, Nicole Emerson, Erin Emerson (and Jose Gonzales), Derek (and Kristina) Emerson, Zachary (and Jessie) Emerson, Lauren Emerson and Reilly Gonzalez (and Stephen); six great-grandchildren; 24 nieces and nephews; and MANY other relatives and friends. Lil is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Elsie Bonde; brothers, Ernest Bonde, Elmer Bonde and Earl Bonde; and sister, Ruth Wegner.
Our sincere gratitude to Lil’s neighbors and our special friends, Chad and Rebecca Cochran, who lovingly looked in on Lil and provided support and assistance almost daily for many years. We don’t know what we would have done without you! We also want to thank Jerry and Sheri Smith, her more recent neighbors, who also looked out for Lil’s best interests. Special thanks to her recent caregivers, Dr. Robert Reynolds and his staff; home health aides, Megan and Adriana; and the staffs at OU Medical Edmond, Mercy Hospital, Bradford Village Skilled Nursing, and Villagio at Bradford Village Assisted Living.
A Memorial Service for Lillian is planned for May 4, 2021, at 11:30 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the church.