Emerson “Em” Stahl

Emerson “Em” Stahl, 69 of Proctor, passed away peacefully surrounded by family after a short illness on Monday, June 21 at Essentia St. Mary’s. Em was born July 4, 1951 in Bemidji to Gary and Marjorie (Stecker) Stahl. He attended Brainerd High School and graduated from Bemidji State University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology.  He met Neoma Dahly while both were attending college and they were married on May 4, 1974 in Walker, MN.  Em retired after 30 years as a Production Manager at Superior-Lidgerwood-Mundy and then started his own used snowmobile parts business, which he ran for 15 years.

Em looked forward to “hard water season” each year as that signaled the start of the snowmobile speed run season. He was a part of Stahl racing for over 31 years where one of his most cherished accomplishments was a NSSR World Record in the Improved Stock 800 class. He was a member of the Ski-Doo Factory Race Team in the 70’s where he was known as an “ace wrench” and he competed 3 years in the I-500.  Em enjoyed other hobbies such as deer hunting, trap shooting, following NHRA drag racing and spending time with family. He was a member of United Lutheran Church in Proctor, Superior Trap Club, Big Lake Trap Club and the National Straightline Snowmobile Racing Organization.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gary and Marjorie Stahl and several aunts and uncles.

Em is survived by his best friend and wife, Neoma; daughter, Tia (Mark) VanGuilder of Nisswa, MN; son, Larry (Jenny) Stahl of Kansas City, MO; brother, Byron (Marilyn) Stahl of Baxter, MN; brother, Kevin (Carrie) Stahl of Brainerd, MN; uncle, Al (Rosie) Stecker; aunt, Janice Stecker; uncle, Ray Rucinski; his grand dog, Ace and several nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous friends.

Em will be deeply missed by all the lives he touched.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 30 from 5-7pm at the United Lutheran Church in Proctor.  The service will begin at 11am on Thursday, July 1 at United Lutheran Church in Proctor with a visitation one hour prior to service. Facial masks are required in the church. Services will be live streamed on the Dougherty Funeral Home Facebook page starting at 11am.  A luncheon will follow the service at Solway Town Hall. Family graveside service will be held at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery in Nisswa, MN. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Em’s love of trap shooting, memorials can be sent to Superior Trap and Gun Club at 5642 S. State Road 35, Superior, WI 54880.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd St. Duluth, MN (218-727-3555)