Emojean Fay Nelson passed away peacefully on September 11, 2024, at Legends on Lake Lorraine, just days shy of her 95th birthday. Born on September 17, 1929, in Kittson, Minnesota, to Gladies Erickson and Arnold Johnson, Emojean was the eldest of their three children. She grew up in Chicago and went on to attend Moorhead State University, where she earned her teaching degree—a career and calling that would shape much of her life.

Teaching was Emojean's passion. Over many years, she enriched young minds, beginning her career in Sisseton, South Dakota, and concluding it in Huron, South Dakota. Though she taught kindergarten through third grade, second grade always held a special place in her heart. She formed lasting bonds with her students, colleagues, and the communities she served.

In Sisseton, Emojean met the love of her life, Gordon Nelson. The two were married on November 17, 1951, in New Effington, South Dakota and had six children. Their love story continued through the decades, and she fondly reminisced about Gordon throughout her golden years.

Emojean is survived by her children Bradley Nelson, Michelle Ausmann (Craig), Brian Nelson (Vicki), and Marcia Hadjis (John). She is also survived by her sister, Barbara Rose, as well as her grandchildren Courtney Steffen-Petersen, Gabriel Steffen, Kristen O'Sullivan, Ruth-Anne Hadjis-Vickroy, Jacob Hadjis, Carli Englehart, Calbi Ausmann, and Lukas Nelson. She will be dearly missed by her great-grandchildren, Annika, James, and Katharine VanZanten, Arthur and Harlan Hadjis, and Talon Englehart. Emojean was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gordon, her brother Donnie Johnson, her son Steven Nelson, her daughter Marita Steffen, and her grandson Tanner Ausmann.

Though she disliked cooking, Emojean had a passion for baking. She was known for making dozens of cookies at a time, with her Grandma Selma's gingersnaps and holiday sugar cookies being family favorites. She cherished shopping trips with her grandchildren that always ended with a few scoops of ice cream. Emojean was a devoted member of the Red Hat Society, Sertoma International, Sun City PRIDES, and Friends of Norway. She had a deep love for her community and showed it through years of teaching, volunteering, and charitable donations, including regular support for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Emojean was committed to keeping her mind and body active, enjoying activities such as line dancing, water aerobics, bowling, bridge, reading, and cross-stitching. She never met a dog she didn't immediately adore and could often be found snuggling any pup she came across.

Her generous spirit, love for family, and lifelong dedication to others will be remembered by all who knew her.

A funeral service will be held at 4:00 pm on Sunday, September 15, 2024, with family present to greet friends at 3:00 pm at Miller Westside Chapel, 6200 W. 41st Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57106. The interment will take place at Sisseton City Cemetery, Sisseton, SD.

To watch Emojean's funeral service please click on link: https://youtube.com/live/ulDu8zPQBv0?feature=share