Obituary: Maren Hagberg Emerson

Maren “Marnie” Hagberg Emerson, 88, of Carlton passed away peacefully Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, at Inter-faith Care Center in Carlton. Marnie was born June 17, 1936, to Julian V. and Leah (Jensen) Hagberg in Duluth, the eldest of three children. Marnie grew up in Duluth and graduated from East High School.

She worked at what was then Duluth National Bank in the West End (which later became U.S. Bank), where her father was president. As a young teller, Marnie would walk from the bank several blocks to the main office in downtown Duluth with deposits.

She attended the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she earned an associate degree in home economics. In her later years, Marnie shared with her children that she had really wanted to pursue a career in radio broadcasting. While at UMD, she worked in the library, where she met her future husband, Robert “Bob” Emerson. The two were married in 1960 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Duluth. They remained devoted partners for 63 years until Bob’s passing in 2023.

Marnie and Bob began their married life in Aitkin, where Bob began his teaching and coaching career, and, together, started their family. They had always planned to have four children, and all were born in Aitkin. Marnie also made the decision to stay home to raise the children. In 1969, the family moved back to the Duluth area, eventually settling down in Carlton.

Marnie and Bob were inseparable— one was never seen without the other. While Bob coached basketball, Marnie kept score for the teams. She never missed any event – sporting or otherwise – that her children participated in. This tradition of unwavering support continued into their adulthood, and extended to her grandchildren’s events as well, attending as many as she could.

Marnie was a dedicated caregiver to her family. She sewed everything by hand, prepared meals for six, and demonstrated a special talent for knitting. She managed their household on a public teacher’s salary with incredible sharpness and efficiency, all while volunteering at church and school. She loved crossword puzzles and word games, and could outplay the best of us at “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!”

Marnie and Bob were active members of Bethesda Lutheran Church in Carlton. They enjoyed traveling and camping together, and Marnie loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was looking forward to the addition of three great-grandbabies in the spring.

Marnie is remembered by her children, Marta (Jack) Patton of West Des Moines, Chad (Addie Geiger) Emerson of Fargo, Kristin (Farzad Kazemi) Davis of Carlton, and Julianne Emerson of Carlton; grandchildren Quade (Shawna) Patton, Travis (Elizabeth) Patton, Chloe (Seth) LiaBraaten, Jonah (Alex) Emerson, Noah Emerson, Taylor (Jenna) Davis, Taryn Davis, Jennifer (Archie) Red Owl, Gregory (Erica Bauer-Sundstrom) Sundstrom, and Colin Emerson; great-grandchildren, Chance Patton, Robert Davis, Eliska Sundstrom, Christian Davis, Aspen Patton; sibling Steven (Jane) Hagberg; siblings-in-law Gordon Emerson, Beverly Emerson, Janice Munsterteiger, Vern “Joe” Emerson, Ken (Cathy) Emerson; and numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Marnie is preceded in death by her husband, Bob Emerson; her parents; and her mother Leah’s husband later in life, Keith Fawcett; her brother John Hagberg; brothers-in law Ralph Emerson and his wife Dee, Neil Emerson and his wife Fran, and Dennis Emerson and his wife Mary; and siblings-in-law Margaret Emerson, Don Munsterteiger and Carol Emerson; and infant granddaughter Sharra Bryn Patton.

Visitation: 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. celebration of life Saturday, Jan. 11 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Carlton. A lunch will follow. Memorials to Bethesda Lutheran Church are preferred.