Dorrance Carl Emerson
March 17, 1927 — November 5, 2008
Dorrance C. Emerson, 81, of 425 Elder Lane N.W., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died peacefully at home Wednesday, November 5, 2008, from complications of a stroke. Services: 11:00 A.M., Saturday, November 8, 2008, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, by Pastor Ken DeWitt. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m., Friday, November 7, 2008, at the funeral home. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include his wife, Charlotte; children, Hollis (Mary) Emerson of Marion, Dorene (Curt) Stahl of Indianapolis, Indiana and Aaron (Mari) Reynolds of Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren, Brad (Kristy) Emerson and their children Ryan and Braydon of Clear Lake, Tony (Ashley) Cassady and their children Coltan, Brecken, Wyatt, Kasya and Emma of Mt. Vernon; step children, Karlyn (Duane) Heims of Manchester, Kevin (Beth) Moser of Atkins and Kristin (Mike) Hucker of Hopkinton; step grandchildren, Greg of Dubuque, Jill and fiancé Kyle Schmitz of Waterloo and Blair Heims of Manchester, Abby and Mitch Moser of Atkins and James, Nicholas and Matthew Hucker of Hopkinton; grandson, Aaron Patrick Reynolds of North Carolina and his children, Jack, April and Spencer and granddaughter, Megan Reynolds and fiancé Jack Brennon of Kansas City; sister, Dorothy Ellsworth of Coggon; mother-in-law, Elma Beitz of Manchester; many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews; and great friend and neighbor, Judie Fisher.
Dorrance was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly in 1989, parents; sister, Gertie Shaw in 1956, granddaughter, Nikki Reynolds in 2002 and nephew, Gary Ellsworth in 1979.
Dorrance was born March 17, 1927, in Robinson, Iowa, the son of Carl and Mary (Schatzle) Emerson. He served in the Army from 1945 to 1949. After 18 weeks of basic training he was on a ship to fight overseas when World War II ended. He was then taken to Japan as part of the Occupational Forces. Dorrance became an MP, guarding President Truman in Omaha where Truman attended a reunion of his division in which he had served. He was in escort duty for fallen soldiers and had recognition from superior officers as an honorable and dedicated soldier. He married Beverly Smith in the Coggon Methodist Church on December 17, 1948. She died October 13, 1989. On July 27, 1991, he married Charlotte Beitz Moser in Buck Creek, Iowa. Dorrance and Beverly farmed in Illinois and Iowa. In 1961 he joined Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids working as a machinist for 25 years.
Dorrance was a member of the Lafayette Christian Church where he was a Deacon and Trustee. He loved antiquing, wood working and gardening where he grew beautiful roses. He was a strong role model for his grandson, Tony, loved the little country church in Lafayette and loved his country where he served as a model soldier. He lovingly touched the lives of family members and friends.
Memorials may be made in Dorrance’s memory to the Lafayette Christian Church Memorial Fund, 3196 Lafayette Road, Alburnett, Iowa 52202.
Survivors include his wife, Charlotte; children, Hollis (Mary) Emerson of Marion, Dorene (Curt) Stahl of Indianapolis, Indiana and Aaron (Mari) Reynolds of Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren, Brad (Kristy) Emerson and their children Ryan and Braydon of Clear Lake, Tony (Ashley) Cassady and their children Coltan, Brecken, Wyatt, Kasya and Emma of Mt. Vernon; step children, Karlyn (Duane) Heims of Manchester, Kevin (Beth) Moser of Atkins and Kristin (Mike) Hucker of Hopkinton; step grandchildren, Greg of Dubuque, Jill and fiancé Kyle Schmitz of Waterloo and Blair Heims of Manchester, Abby and Mitch Moser of Atkins and James, Nicholas and Matthew Hucker of Hopkinton; grandson, Aaron Patrick Reynolds of North Carolina and his children, Jack, April and Spencer and granddaughter, Megan Reynolds and fiancé Jack Brennon of Kansas City; sister, Dorothy Ellsworth of Coggon; mother-in-law, Elma Beitz of Manchester; many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews; and great friend and neighbor, Judie Fisher.
Dorrance was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly in 1989, parents; sister, Gertie Shaw in 1956, granddaughter, Nikki Reynolds in 2002 and nephew, Gary Ellsworth in 1979.
Dorrance was born March 17, 1927, in Robinson, Iowa, the son of Carl and Mary (Schatzle) Emerson. He served in the Army from 1945 to 1949. After 18 weeks of basic training he was on a ship to fight overseas when World War II ended. He was then taken to Japan as part of the Occupational Forces. Dorrance became an MP, guarding President Truman in Omaha where Truman attended a reunion of his division in which he had served. He was in escort duty for fallen soldiers and had recognition from superior officers as an honorable and dedicated soldier. He married Beverly Smith in the Coggon Methodist Church on December 17, 1948. She died October 13, 1989. On July 27, 1991, he married Charlotte Beitz Moser in Buck Creek, Iowa. Dorrance and Beverly farmed in Illinois and Iowa. In 1961 he joined Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids working as a machinist for 25 years.
Dorrance was a member of the Lafayette Christian Church where he was a Deacon and Trustee. He loved antiquing, wood working and gardening where he grew beautiful roses. He was a strong role model for his grandson, Tony, loved the little country church in Lafayette and loved his country where he served as a model soldier. He lovingly touched the lives of family members and friends.
Memorials may be made in Dorrance’s memory to the Lafayette Christian Church Memorial Fund, 3196 Lafayette Road, Alburnett, Iowa 52202.
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