Emily (Larson) Sumner

Emily Sumner died Saturday, May 12, 2012, at the Johnson Memorial Home in Dawson at the age of 96.

Funeral services was at 11:00 AM, Thursday, May 17, 2012, at Providence Valley Lutheran Church with Pastor Cheryl Matthews officiating; scripture lessons were Isaiah 35:1-6, Psalm 23, Revelation 7:9-17, 22:12 and Luke 10:38-42; granddaughter, Erin Windingstad gave a personal eulogy; Dean Pearson, accompanied on piano by wife, Joyce sang “The King Is Coming” and “On Eagles’s Wings”; and organist, Arlys Swenson accompanied the congregation in singing “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” and “How Great Thou Art.”  Honorary casketbearers were all her granchildren and great-grandchildren and the active casketbearers were Levi Windingstad, Jason Windingstad, John Windingstad, Dusty Sumner, Ryan Sumner, and Christopher Sumner.  Interment was in the church cemetery.

Visitation was Wednesday from 6-8:00 PM with a prayer service at 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

Emily Nellie (Larson) Sumner was born April 12, 1916, in Providence Township, Lac Qui Parle County, the daughter of Emil and Nellie (Swenson) Larson.  She was baptized and confirmed at Providence Valley Lutheran Church.

She was united in marriage with Erling Windingstad on June 6, 1937, at her parents home.  They moved to St. Paul in the late 1940's and moved back to the rural Canby and Dawson area in the 1950's.  Emily worked as a nurses aide at the Canby Nursing Home and later at Johnson Memorial Home in Dawson.  Erling died June 21, 1980.  She was united in marriage with C. Hovey Sumner October 17, 1987 at Providence Valley Lutheran Church.  Hove died November 26, 2005.

She enjoyed quilting, knitting and crocheting and she made many quilts and afgans for her grandchildren.  She especially enjoyed playing cards.  Emily was active at Providence Valley Lutheran Church and was a member of its women’s groups and bible study.

She is survived by four children: Dean (Joy) Windingstad of Canby, Dale (Patty) Windingstad of Shoreview, Cynthia (Steve) Janiksela of Brainerd, and David Windingstad of Morris; five step-children: Harlowe (Brenda) Sumner of Dawson, Jerry (Kay) Sumner of Granite Falls, Coni (Ronald) Morris of Iberia, MO, Steve Sumner and fiance, Debra Baker of Dawson, and Shawn (Janet) Sumner of Dawson; twelve grandchildren: Levi and Isaac Windingstad, Sarah, Luke, Jacob, Joshua (Samantha) Janiksela, John, Michael and Daniel Windingstad, and Jason, Eric and Erin Windingstad; 21 step-grandchildren; 29 step-great-grandchildren;  brother, Emil (Sandy) Larson of Amery, WI; three sisters: Dorothy Main of Richfield, Joyce Amling of Elkport, IA, and LaVae “Bonnie” (Dick) Ellis of NJ; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husbands: Erling and Hove; an infant daughter; adopted son, James; five brothers: Lloyd, Andy, Arvid, Lawrence and Vernal Larson; and a sister, Myrtle Peterson.

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