Emily Halberg Holt, 91, formerly of Minonk, passed away at 11:15 pm on Friday night, October 2 at Bloomington Rehabilitation Center.

Emily was born October 29, 1923 in Benson, the daughter of Will and Nona Antons Renken. She married Carl Halberg in Eureka on August 27, 1942 and he preceded her in death on October 13, 1966. She later married Clifford Holt in Ottawa on February 12, 1994 and was married until his death on July 5, 2008.

Emily is survived by two sons, Randall (Heidi) Halberg of Oshkosh, WI and Richard (Melinda) Halberg of Heyworth; two step sons, Gary (Sally) Holt of Cherry and Kevin (Sue) Holt of Streator; two step daughters, Kathy (Jesse) Dodge of Manville; and Pam Ludwick of Ottawa. She also leaves behind 9 grandchildren, 9 step grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 2 step great grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Annabelle Halberg of Normal.

Emily was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, her daughter, Carol Ann, and son-in-law, Paul Whyzmuzis, as well as one sister and three brothers.

Emily was a hard worker all of her life. She raised her infant daughter on her own while her husband, Carl, was serving overseas in World War II, and was a volunteer at the Streator Canteen. When Carl started farming, she took care of the household chores and helped him on the farm. Upon his death, she had a farm sale, got a job as a nurses aide and bought a house in Minonk in a matter of weeks. A year later, she went back to school and became an LPN. She worked for nearly 30 years at Minonk Manor/Lida Home in Minonk and Hawthorne Lodge in El Paso. As a nurse, she loved working with younger nurses and helped them learn from her years of experience.

She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 10 at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Minonk. Pastor Ed Sinclair will officiate. Visitation will be from 9-11 am before the memorial service. Inurnment will be in Bethany Lutheran Cemetery in Wenona at a later date.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com.