Emerson, Hollis Carl

Hollis Carl Emerson, 62, of Marion, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011, at his home after a courageous 1-year journey living with lung cancer. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, by Pastor Robin Tyner and Delane Wolter. The family will greet friends from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial: St. Joseph's Cemetery, Prairieburg. Casual attire is requested.

Survivors include his wife, Mary; sister, Dorene (Curt) Stahl, Anamosa; son, Brad (Kristy) Emerson, and grandsons, Ryan and Braydon, Clear Lake; special brother, Aaron (Mari) Reynolds and family, Overland Park, Kan.; good friend, Rob Dudek, Cedar Rapids; nephew, Tony (Ashley) Cassady and family, Martelle; Mary's family, Lawrence and Dorothy Yanda, Anamosa, Julie and Maurice Siebels, Marion, John Yanda, Anamosa, Bob and Mary Yanda, Monticello, Anthony and Joni Yanda, Anamosa, Jim and Ellen Yanda, Maplewood, N.J., Bernadette Yanda, Marion, Jennifer and Dean Koopmann, Anamosa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dorrance and Beverly (Smith) Emerson.

Hollis was born Aug. 11, 1949, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1968 and attended Kirkwood Community College. He married Mary Louise Yanda Eden at Morgan Creek Park in Cedar Rapids on April 26, 1975. His 41-year career in the quarry industry began in 1970 at James W. Bell Co., where he worked as a mechanic and learned all aspects of the business. He then worked for Alpha Crushed Stone, IMI, and for the last 15 years as the equipment manager for Wendling Quarries, Inc., DeWitt, Iowa. Hollis loved his work, enjoyed his co-workers, and vowed to never retire. Job safety was paramount to him and his co-workers were his family. Thriving on the vendor/supplier relationships he cherished and the deal-making aspect of his work, he loved to give an OTO (one time offer).

Harley rides with Mary were his relaxation. He was proud of the work he had done on his 1939 Chevy and showed it several times at Back to the 50s Car Show in St. Paul, Minn. He liked boating in Coralville, movies and popcorn, antiquing, mowing his yard in straight diagonal lines, eating breakfast out on Saturday mornings and a mean card game. He had a quick wit and could find humor in almost any situation. He was fair, honest, hardworking, loyal, committed, and responsible. He had an appreciation for the simple things in life, especially nature, friendships, and DQ blizzards. He and Mary enjoyed trips to Mexico, time on the beach, long weekend Harley rides, and family get-togethers with the kids.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Mercy, 701 10th St., SE, Cedar Rapids or Camp Courageous of Iowa, P.O. Box 418, Monticello, IA 52310.

Please sign the online guest book for Hollis at  under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette on Sept. 15, 2011