Emily Eleanor (Padrnos) Pouliot

Emily Eleanor Pouliot

Loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.

Emily Eleanor Pouliot, age 100 of Elk River, MN, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2024, surrounded by family at the Guardian Angels Care Facility in Elk River.

Emily was born on October 12, 1923 in Scotland, SD to Anton and Mary (Tresnak) Padrnos. She married Edward Pouliot on September 25, 1948 at St. Phillip’s Catholic Church in Olivia, MN. Together they raised nine children near Rogers, MN. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren throughout the years. She will be deeply missed by all.

Emily was the sixth of thirteen siblings. At age seven, the family moved to Nebraska to help on the farm of her maternal grandfather who was ill. A few years later, the Padrnos family moved to another farm in Nebraska where they stayed until Emily started high school. Emily’s early education in Nebraska through 8th grade was a one-room country school. She completed Grammar School there in May of 1936. From Nebraska the family moved to Olivia, MN to another farm. Emily graduated from Grove City High School at the age of 16.

After graduation, Emily stayed at home to work on the family dairy farm for five years. During that time she was active in the 4-H Club and was a regular blood donor during the war years.

In 1945 Emily joined the Cadet Nurse Corp in the hope of becoming an Army nurse. In 1948 she graduated from St. Catherine’s College and St. Mary’s Hospital Unit as an RN. She worked at St. Mary’s for several years and then transferred to the Anoka (Mork Clinic) Hospital where she worked until its closing in 1965 due to the opening of Mercy Hospital (now Allina) in nearby Coon Rapids.

At this time, Emily intended to end her nursing career to stay home with her growing family. However, Mercy Hospital contacted her and urged her to join their staff. “Just give it a try!” they encouraged her. She did just that and worked at Mercy from its opening day in March 1965 until her retirement. After retiring, Emily volunteered at Mercy, St. Andrew’s Church, and several other venues in Elk River.

Emily was devoted to her family and a wonderful homemaker. She will forever be remembered as an excellent cook, and with her large family, she had plenty of practice. She loved hosting holiday dinners and family celebrations, and they were always feasts. Also, she was an avid gardener and proudly lined up numerous jars of canned produce and fruits on her pantry shelves. Additionally, Emily was a gifted seamstress, sewing many of her children’s clothes, especially beautiful dresses and coats for her girls.

During their marriage, Emily and Edward enjoyed traveling and camping with their family, attending Edward’s annual Navy reunions, and playing cards and board games with family and friends. Highlights of their travels were a trip to Europe and a summer spent in Alaska.

Emily was preceded in death by her loving husband, Edward, of 66 years in 2014; her daughter-in-law, Brenda Pouliot; infant baby boy grandson, Dirksen; four brothers and four sisters; also, her dear friend and neighbor, Maushaunn Pegues.

Emily is survived by her children, Jeanne (Steve) Dirksen, Michael Pouliot, Theresa (Kevin) Vetsch, Pamela (Dennis) Moos, Susan (Dr. Carl) Bazemore, Donald Pouliot, Peter (Jill) Pouliot, James Pouliot, Charles (Joy) Pouliot; daughters-in-law, Christine Pouliot and Patty Pouliot. She is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

A special “Thank you” to Deacon Fred and Betsy Clark of St. Andrew’s Church for the many years of weekly visits. Sincere thanks also to Emily’s Baldwin Circle neighbors for their ongoing care, help, support, and love. And finally, heartfelt thanks to the caring staff of Guardian Angels and Triniti Hospice who lovingly tended Emily.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Elk River on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 12:30 PM. Visitation will be prior to Mass from 11:30 AM t0 12:30 PM. Lunch will be served following the service. Interment will be at Fort Ripley on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 1:00 PM.

Services will be livestreamed by clicking the link below.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Andrew’s Church and School in Elk River, Heartland Food Shelf, and Disabled Veterans of America.

Serving the family is Dare’s Funeral Home of Elk River, MN. 763-441-1212. www.daresfuneralhome.com.

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