Carl Emblom Jr.

Carl W. “Red” Emblom Jr., age 90 of Sauk Centre, passed away Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at his home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, November 11 at First Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Rebecca Thomas officiating. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Sauk Centre with military honors by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church in Sauk Centre.

Carl William Emblom was born July 28, 1929 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Carl Sr. and Winnie (Holmquist) Emblom. He grew up in Sauk Centre and graduated from Sauk Centre High School in 1947. He married the love of his life, Lois “Louie” McDonald on December 3, 1950. He served two years in the U.S. Army; stationed in Germany. Red was a worker. From repairing shoes as a teen to working for Bell Telephone, to Arvig Construction, to Cavalier Rural Electric, to building and repairing powerlines. With these beginnings, powerline construction became his lifelong career. In 1966, he moved his family to Grand Rapids, Minnesota taking a position at Northern Minnesota Power. He earned his North Dakota Master Electrician license which he used to supplement his family’s income; wiring both commercially and privately.

One day the phone rang, and Russ was on the other end. From 1968 until he reached the age of 70, Red worked alongside his brother, Russ forming Emblom Brother’s Construction. Later Red took over the business.

Anywhere he lived he was “the handiman”. He could fix anything, usually being pretty inventive in the process. Red was an avid fisherman and hunter in his younger days, and later enjoyed time golfing with his buddies.

Survivors include his wife, Lois Emblom of Sauk Centre; son, Don (Terrie) Emblom of Sauk Centre; daughter, Colleen (Bruce) Reid of Grand Rapids; daughter-in-law, Nettie Emblom-Billmark of Alexandria; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Red was preceded in death by his son, Steve Emblom; parents, Carl Sr. and Winnie Emblom; brothers, Don and Russ; and sisters, Darlene Thompson and Lorraine Rosdahl.

Serving as casket bearers will be Christopher Emblom, Matthew Reid, Dustin Emblom, Mariah Robinson, Lindsay Krizmanich, Kayla Emblom, Breanna Laabs, and Tim Reid.

In lieu of flowers, the asks donations be made to the American Cancer Society or First Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre.