Emily Flanders

Emily Aadahl Flanders, 87, of Red Wing died Saturday at Loving Residence in Red Wing where she has resided for the past five years. She was born on May 7, 1918 in Zumbrota and graduated from Zumbrota High School in 1936. For a few years she worked as a telephone operator in Red Wing. In January of 1943 she married Norman Flanders in Red Wing. They moved to San Diego in 1951. Norman died in March of 1961 and the family moved back to Red Wing in June of 1961. During the 1960s and 1970s she worked at Kohlers Book Store, Zumco in Zumbrota and Riviera Kitchens. She was a regular Burnside flea market vendor in the 1980s and 1990s and also sold her popular Christmas rosettes, sandbakels and krum kaka and successfully competed in the senior spelling bee. A member of United Lutheran Church, she was active in the church circles, she was also a member of the Sons of Norway, sang with the Swedish singers and was proud of her Norwegian heritage. Survivors include her children, Gwen Flanders and her husband, Jim Robinson of Washington DC, Steven Flanders and his wife, Kelly of Red Wing and Janet Dickie and her husband, Gregg of Minneapolis; two grandchildren, Taylor and Hallie Flanders and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; two brothers, Severin and Bennie Aadahl and two sisters, Esther Siewert and Pauline Ellingson. Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at United Lutheran Church in Red Wing with Rev. Randall Johnson and Rev. Lyle Aadahl officiating. Burial will be in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Harvey Aadahl, Gordon and Rick Ellingson, Stan Lexvold, Dean Reinhart and Tom Trulen. Honorary pallbearers Taylor and Hallie Flanders, Howard and Gary Siewert and Loving Residents, residents and staff. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and at the church for one hour prior to the services.