Emily Wolterstorff

Emily Wolterstorff (nee McHattie) died on January 15, 2022 at the age of 97.

Visitation will be 4-7 pm, Thursday, January 20, 2022 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th Street S., Cottage Grove.  Memorial service will be 4 pm, Friday, January 21, 2022 at The Grove, 7465 Steepleview Road, Woodbury, with visitation hour one prior to the service.  Burial will be at the Cottage Grove Cemetery at a later date.  Memorials may be directed to the Steeple Fund at The Grove.

Emily Elizabeth McHattie Wolterstorff was born July 7, 1924 at home in Woodbury, Minnesota to George and Edith McHattie.  She graduated from Harding High School in St. Paul and attended the University of Minnesota, with the scholarship money awarded with the National 4-H Leadership Award.

Emily, a lifelong resident of Woodbury, Minnesota, was very involved in the growth of Woodbury. Her roots to the community go back to her great-great-grandfather who had the first homestead in Woodbury.  She dedicated much of her life to working with the 4-H program as a young girl and then later as the Woodbury 4-H Club leader.  In fact, in 1943 she was the first woman in the history of the National 4-H Club organization to receive the national leadership award. She was an active member in the Woodbury Methodist Church, Woodbury Heritage Society, Washington County Historical Society, Washington County Fair Board, Eastern Star, and Farm Bureau.

Emily was married to Robert on June 27, 1946, at the Woodbury Methodist Church on a very rainy day!  They built their home on the family farm where they enjoyed raising their children and spending time in God’s creation.  She enjoyed dancing, playing cards with neighboring families, and writing stories about her early days.  After moving to Stonecrest in Woodbury she actively participated in a writer’s group, old time radio shows and also organized vintage fashion reviews with the residents.

She is survived by her children Dennis (Julie), David (Karen) and Nancy (Ian); grandchildren Erin (AJ), Michael (Molly) and Nate (Katie); great-grandchildren Jonathan, David, Emily, Isabelle, Savannah, Alexa, Michael, Emma and Alice as well as nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Robert “Bob”; grandson Robert Christopher; parents George and Edith; brothers Earl and Ralph.

LIVESTREAM INFORMATION:  For those who would like to participate in Emily's service via livestream, you can watch the service on Friday, January 21, 2022 at 4:00 pm.  It can be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of this page, and "CLICK PLAY" to begin.  Please leave a message of support on our Tribute Wall to let the family know you were able to watch the service.  If you are having troubles with the Livestream, the service will be available to watch later in the day.