Edmund 'Ed' Emerson
July 6, 1938 — June 4, 2024
Edmund “Ed” Emerson, 85, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died after a brief illness on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. A celebration of life will be held from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at The Legacy Center at Murdoch-Linwood in Cedar Rapids.
Ed was born July 6, 1938, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the son of Wilma (Van Dyke) and Max Emerson I. He graduated from Hawkeye High School. Ed was united in marriage to Shirley Bolton; the couple later divorced. He began his career working for his Uncle Fred at Van Dyke Company Salvage Yard. Later, he joined the Joie Chitwood Thrill Show, Eickemeyer Refrigeration, and Andrews Auto Restoration as a shop manager. Ed co-owned and operated Emerson Discount Store before ultimately working as a driver for CarePro and Allstar. He served on the board at Hawkeye Downs Raceway and was also inducted into its Hall of Fame. The most important thing to Ed was to spend time with his family and his friends, and he deeply loved them all.
Survivors include his sons, Max (Lori) Emerson of Swisher, Iowa, and Jim (Annie) Emerson of Cedar Rapids; seven grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and siblings, Molly (Kevin) Roberts Joe Emerson, David Emerson, and Mary Wignall.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, John Emerson and Allen Emerson.
Ed was born July 6, 1938, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the son of Wilma (Van Dyke) and Max Emerson I. He graduated from Hawkeye High School. Ed was united in marriage to Shirley Bolton; the couple later divorced. He began his career working for his Uncle Fred at Van Dyke Company Salvage Yard. Later, he joined the Joie Chitwood Thrill Show, Eickemeyer Refrigeration, and Andrews Auto Restoration as a shop manager. Ed co-owned and operated Emerson Discount Store before ultimately working as a driver for CarePro and Allstar. He served on the board at Hawkeye Downs Raceway and was also inducted into its Hall of Fame. The most important thing to Ed was to spend time with his family and his friends, and he deeply loved them all.
Survivors include his sons, Max (Lori) Emerson of Swisher, Iowa, and Jim (Annie) Emerson of Cedar Rapids; seven grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and siblings, Molly (Kevin) Roberts Joe Emerson, David Emerson, and Mary Wignall.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, John Emerson and Allen Emerson.
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