Norma M. Emmerson

Norma Mae Emmerson, 100, of Geneseo, IL, formerly of Sheffield, IL, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2025, at Woodridge Supportive Living – Geneseo.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025, at Concordia Lutheran Church, Geneseo.  Reverend Stephen Mueller will officiate.  Burial will be at St. Patrick Cemetery, Sheffield, IL, following the luncheon.  A visitation will be held from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Atkinson Chapel.  Memorials may be directed to Sheffield Fire & Rescue, 265 S. Main Street, Sheffield, IL, 61361, and Concordia Lutheran Church, 316 S. Oakwood Avenue, Geneseo, IL, 61254.

Norma was born November 6, 1924, the daughter of Ray L. and Gertrude (Heinrich) Hier, in Kewanee, IL.  She graduated from Kewanee High School, class of 1942.  On August 12, 1950, Norma married Phill Emmerson at a service in Kewanee.  Phill preceded her in death on July 7, 2017.  She farmed with her husband in Atkinson and Sheffield, worked at the Walworth Company for seven years, and later owned and operated Pottery, Pourin’ & Paintin’ Ceramics Shop out of her home in Sheffield for over twenty-five years.  She was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church - Geneseo, Legion Auxiliary – Sheffield, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League St. Paul’s - Kewanee, Jr. Women’s Club, Atkinson Western League Rolle Bolle, and the Flemish American Club.  Her hobbies included dancing, traveling to every state, making several quilts for Lutheran World Relief, sewing, oil painting, and restoring antique religious statues for several churches.  Norma received six plaques for first place in the Illinois State Rolle Bolle Women’s League.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Patsy L. (Bob) DeFauw of Annawan, and James P. (Peggy) Emmerson of Sheffield; four grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and ten step-great-grandchildren.

Parents, Ray and Gertrude Hier, husband, Phill Emmerson, sister, Anna Lou Littlefield, and brother, Wendell Hier proceeded Norma in death.