Emerson Bodell, 88, Lake Forest

Emerson Royce Bodell passed away on May 14th in Lake Forest, Illinois. He was a true people person who derived energy from being with family and friends. He had an incredible interest in the lives and well-being of others and was blessed with the ability to remember facts and figures about everyone. He had the wonderful ability to make everyone feel welcome.

Emerson was born at the Lutheran Hospital in Fort Dodge, Iowa on June 24, 1934. He grew up on a grain and livestock farm near Otho, Iowa and went to the Tapper School, a one-room schoolhouse, from kindergarten through 7th grade. He attended High School in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and graduated from Iowa State University in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy. It was at Iowa State that he met his wife, Ellen Eames, from Denver, Colorado.

In January of 1957, Emerson entered the U.S. Army, attended basic training in Ft. Carson, Colorado, and then served as an intelligence specialist in Darmstadt, Germany in August of 1957. Emerson and Ellen were married in Switzerland and then continued living in Germany for 18 months. In 1959 he joined International Minerals & Chemical Corporation and retired in 1996 as a Regional Sales Manager.

The Bodell’s moved to Lake Forest in 1973 and became members of St. James Lutheran Church. Emerson was on the Church Council twice, the Board of Directors of 3 Owners Associations in the Galena Territory, and the Fluid Fertilizer Association Board.

In 1996, he received the 1st Certificate of Recognition from the Southwestern Fertilizer Association for Outstanding Contribution to the entire fertilizer industry, having distinguished himself among his peers as a leader and innovator. Eleven hundred people attended this inaugural award ceremony.

Emerson created a legacy at IMC with his wide success and popularity.

Emerson and Ellen loved to travel, they visited all 50 states and 53 countries. When they weren’t traveling, Emerson and Ellen were socializing, working in their garden, and enjoying the many great restaurants in the Chicago area. Emerson and Ellen felt very lucky to have such wonderful friends, neighbors, former colleagues, and the strong St. James community over the years.

Emerson is survived by his wife Ellen of 65 years, daughter Karstin Bodell and husband Dirk Swanson, son Bradley and wife Katie, son Brian and wife Lisa, grandchildren Brenner, Charlie, Jack, and Kai, his sister Carol Tveit and nine nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Royce Bodell and Thelma Holmdahl.

Visitation will be at Wenban Funeral Home, 320 Vine Ave Lake Forest, Friday, June 23rd from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. A Memorial Service will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, June 24 at St. James Lutheran Church, 1380 N Waukegan Road in Lake Forest.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. James Lutheran Church, or the Cool Food Pantry in Waukegan, Illinois.

Info: Wenban Funeral Home 847-234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com.