Stephen Emblom

Stephen "Steve" Craig Emblom, age 57 of Little Falls, MN, passed away Saturday, December 1, 2012 at his home under the care of his loving family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls with Father Nick Landsberger and Father Tim Wenzel officiating. Friends may call from 3:00-8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at the Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls and Wednesday, December 5, 2012 from 8:00 A.M. until 10:00 A.M. at the funeral chapel. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Little Falls. Steve was born January 31, 1955 in Langdon, ND to Carl (Red) W., Jr. & Lois J. (McDonald) Emblom. He was baptized on January 7, 1965 at the United Lutheran Church in Langdon, ND. At the age of 12, Steve moved with his family to Grand Rapids, MN where he attended Forest Lake Elementary School, Grand Rapids Middle School and Grand Rapids High School graduating in1973. After high school, Steve attended Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids for one year. In 1975, he moved to Sauk Centre, MN where he worked for his dad's company, Emblom Brothers Construction Company, as office manager from 1975 to 1986. It was in Sauk Centre where Steve met Lynette "Nettie" Botz. Steve and Nettie were married on October 9, 1976 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. They made their home in Sauk Centre. In 1984, Steve began taking courses at St. Cloud State University, majoring in Pre-Mortuary Science. In 1986, he left his father's company and attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mortuary Science in 1987. Following graduation, Steve worked for Schad Funeral Service in Sauk Centre and Melrose, MN one year. In April of 1988, Steve & Nettie moved to Morris, MN where he worked for Peterson Brothers Funeral Service. In September of 1988, Steve, Nettie and their children moved to Little Falls when Steve began ministering to the grieving families of Morrison County. In August 2006, Steve & Nettie purchased the Brenny Funeral Homes in Little Falls, Pierz, Royalton & Upsala, MN. Since 2006, Steve & Nettie have owned & operated them under the name Emblom Brenny Funeral Service. Steve was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls where he served on the church council, as a cantor and as an usher. He was also a member of the Children's Grief Connection of Minnesota where he served on the Board of Directors for ten years and as President from 2009-2010, the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Director's Association. Steve produced the Christian Concerts in Little Falls, namely, God With Us (1999), God For Us (2001), God In Us (2004) and How Great Is Our God (2007). Steve enjoyed camping, especially at White Birch in Breezy Point, spending time at their home in Mesa, AZ, travelling, boating, golfing, and singing in church. His heart was in funeral service and serving the families of Morrison County. More than anything, he loved spending his time with his soul-mate, Nettie, and their children, Christopher, Dustin & wife, Kelly and daughter, Kayla. Steve cherished every game of golf he played with his dad. Steve is survived by his wife, Nettie; sons, Christopher Emblom of St. Paul, MN, Dr. Dustin (Kelly) Emblom of St. Cloud, MN and daughter, Kayla Emblom of Honolulu, HI; parents, Carl Jr. (Red) and Lois Emblom of Sauk Centre, MN; sister Colleen (Bruce) Reid of Grand Rapids, MN; brother, Don (Terrie) of Sauk Centre, MN; mother-in-law, Esther (Ray) Botz-Prom of Sauk Rapids, MN; sisters-in-law, Judy (Spencer) Buerkle and Ginny (Jim) Gasser both of Sauk Rapids, MN; nephews, Tim (Sara) Reid and Matt (Nichole)Reid and nieces, Mariah (Jonathan) Robinson, Lindsay Emblom and Breanna Emblom. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Cyril Botz (1992) and brother-in-law, David Botz (1962). Memorials are preferred and will be forwarded to a number of Steve's favorite charities.