Emery A. Carbonneau, Jr., 85, Bottineau, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2012, in a Bottineau nursing home. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, in the St. Mark's Catholic Church in Bottineau. There will be no visitation.
Emery A. Carbonneau, Jr., son of Emery and Camille (Labrecque) Carbonneau, Sr., was born Sept. 4, 1926, at Tarsus, Bottineau County. He was raised on his grandfather's original homestead and attended nearby schools. Following his formal education, he began working with his father on the family farm and became a third generation steward of the land.
On May 24, 1945, he married Carol E. Watkins in Dunseith, which began a 67-year romance. He had a passion for his family and enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, whether riding on snowmobiles and farm equipment, or relaxing at the family cabin on Lake Metigoshe.
He was also an exceptional machinist and there was very little he could not build or improve upon. His ability to make parts and repair machinery enabled him to lend a helping hand to his many friends and neighbors. Emery retired from farming in 1982. He and Carol moved to Bottineau in 2007, where the couple resided until his death.
Emery was a member of St Mark's Catholic Church in Bottineau, the St. Mark's Cemetery Board and the Lordsburg Township Board. He was chairman of the Bottineau County Weed Board for 15 years and was a member of the North Dakota Weed Board. Emery was also an honorary lifetime member of the Future Farmers of America and the Overly Snowmobile Club.
Emery is survived by: his wife, Carol, of Bottineau; son, Charles (Sharon) Carbonneau, of Watertown, S.D.; daughter, Ann (David) O'Connell, of Bottineau; grandchildren, Scott (Laura) Carbonneau, of Pierre, S.D.; Aimee (Dayne) Zachrison, of Valley City; April (Mike) Richter, of Warroad, Minn.; Michael (Molly) Carbonneau, of Sartell, Minn.; and Ben (Kate) Johnson, of Round Rock, Texas; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters, Rita Anderson, of Fargo, and Cecile Marchand, of Kenosha, Wis.
Arrangements are with the Nero Funeral Home of Bottineau. Friends may sign the online register at (www.nerofuneralhome.net).