Gordon Fredrick Emerson, 93, formerly of Minot and Chaseley died on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 in a Carrington nursing home.

Gordon was born on May 17, 1923 on a farm near Chaseley, ND to Ernest and Bertha (Meisegeier) Emerson. He was reared on the family farm and attended a rural school prior to graduating from Hurdsfield High School as the valedictorian. He attended Jamestown College on a scholarship for 2.5 years before he returned to the family farm during World War II.

Gordon married Elizabeth "Liz" Braunagel on December 15, 1946 in Jamestown. They made their home in Chaseley where they owned and operated a General Store. They sold the store in 1960 and moved to Minot where they were partners in the operation of Nodak Candy and Tobacco Inc., an affiliate of Dakota Drug. Gordon served a term in the North Dakota State Legislature from 1968-1969. He retired in 1990. They continued to make their home in Minot, but were members of the Good Sam RV Club Sakakawea Chapter and "Nomads." This meant the winter months were spent traveling. Seven of those winters were spent with the "Nomads," an organization of Methodist campers who spent time doing maintenance and construction work for churches, campgrounds and financially disadvantaged people. Liz died on March 21, 2005. Most recently, Gordon had resided at Edgewood Vista, Brentmoor and Golden Acres Manor in Carrington.

Gordon was a member of Vincent United Methodist Church Minot, Minot Chamber of Commerce, "Know-It Alls" and several state and national Candy and Tobacco wholesalers associations. He especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and quilting. He received the Grand Champion award for the quilt he entered in the Minot Quilt Guild Show.

Gordon's loving family includes his children: Vernon (Linda) Emerson of West St. Paul, MN, Douglas (Deb) Emerson of Bismarck, Pamela Emerson (Martin Charlebois) of Sheridan, WY, Russell (Gloria) Emerson of Fargo and Blaise (Carmie) Emerson of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren: Anthony Emerson, Christopher (Jen) Emerson, Brock (Kumiko) Emerson, Kristy (Ross) Schiermeister, Emerson (Katie) Charlebois, Robert Emerson, Amy Emerson, Elizabeth Emerson and Leah Emerson; step-grandchildren: Terri (Mike) Hanson and Tamara (Kevin) Zacchea; great grandchildren: Owen Emerson, Henleigh Shiermeister, Breann Charlebois, Avery Charlebois; step great grandchildren: Tyler, Ely and Kaleb Hanson, Owen and Kevin Zacchea and several nieces and nephews.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers: Arthur and Matelan and infant siblings: Roy, Edna and Edward.

Celebration of the Life of Gordon Emerson: Monday, August 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in Vincent United Methodist Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.