Emma Rosellan Riley's Obituary
Emma Rosellan (Stavens) Riley was born February 22, 1928, to Thorval and Cora (Hove) Stavens. She passed November 18, 2023, at her home in St. Helens, Oregon.
Emma was baptized March 7, 1928, by Rev. Eikland, confirmed December 1942 by Rev. Greendahl at Little Forks Lutheran Church. She went to grade school in a small country school (Newberg No. 4) where there were three students in her class. She attended high school in Hatton, North Dakota.
Emma married Dale Hovland and had two daughters, Gale Ann and Lynette Marie, and a son, Loren. Later, Emma and Dale divorced. She worked at a grocery store, restaurant, tavern, and dry cleaners in Hatton. Later, she moved to Fargo, North Dakota, where she worked at Rex Steak House in Moorhead, Minnesota.
Then, Emma moved to Portland, Oregon, and worked as a checker at Bales for food, the dime store, and the toy factory. She met John “Jack” Riley Jr. at the bowling alley in St. Helens, Oregon. Jack had a son, Greg, and a daughter, Connie.
Emma spent her free time stitching quilts at First Lutheran Church in St. Helens, hardanger embroidery, and spending time with family and friends. She was treasurer of The New Voice Club Cancer Society in Portland, Oregon for 10 years. Emma was a member of the VFW.
Emma is survived by her children, Gale Ann (Hovland) Darrel Farmer, Greg (Rhea) Riley, Lynette (Hovland) Roy Hettinga, and Penny (Donald) Miller; her sister Elsie; grandchildren Todd Allen Riley, Tricia Ann Atkinson, Carmen Kolette Van Dusen, Michael Scott Petersen, Danyel Danette Rogers, Darrel Alan Farmer, Christopher John Petersen, Shawna Nicole Evans, Kristol Dawn Cohn, Boe Jay Farmer, Benjamin Jon Riley; step-grandchildren Jeromy Hettinga, Brian Hettinga, and Tim Hettinga; great-grandchildren Kennan May Farmer; Felicia Ann Parker; Nicholas Alan Van Dusen; Breanna Marie Capaci, Cody John Riley, Kyle Thomas Riley, Aaron John Cohn, Taylor Jessica Young, Andrew Michael Atkinson, Brooke Elizabeth Farmer, Spencer Riley Evans, Zoie Marie Petersen, Abigail Jean Atkinson, Blake Alan Farmer, Sophie Jade Evans, Alexander Petersen, Nicholas Benson McGlassan, and Kassandra Grace Cohn; step-great-grandchildren Jamie Rogers, Miah Hettinga, Hayden Hettinga, and Khloe Hettinga; great-great-grandchildren Lauryn Marie Gilbert and Brooklyn Grace Minoli.
Emma is preceded in death by her parents; husband John “Jack” Riley Jr.; son Loren Dale; daughter Connie; grandchild Shawn; six brothers, Gilman, Earnest, Edwin, Carl, Art and Thorval Jr.; five sisters, Ruth, Lillia, Esther, Harrod, and Rosemary; and her stepbrother, Dennis.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the First Lutheran Church in St. Helens, Oregon.
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