Emily M. Colby

Emily M. Colby, 94, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at the Lutheran Retirement Home, Northwood. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 9, at Schott Funeral Homes–Mittelstadt Chapel, Lake Mills, with Mr. Kermit Singelstad officiating. Interment will follow at Salem Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
Emily M. Colby was born July 10, 1927 to John and Amelia Stelter in North Dakota. She went to country school through the eighth grade, and then worked and helped on the farm—milking cows, helping in the field, and other farm work. She later went to live with her sister in Mason City. She worked at a nursing home and then as a waitress and was also a breakfast cook at the Outing Club, Clear Lake.
On Jan. 22, 1956, she married Spencer Colby and lived on the farm west of Lake Mills for many years. She moved into Lake Mills in 2007. She loved the farm and often ask if she could go back.
Emily’s interests included: cooking and baking, gardening, sewing and quilting, reading, and writing letters to many relatives and friends. Often, as company was leaving, she would say, “It’s nice you could be here,” and would smile and wave as you left. Emily’s greatest comfort in life was that she knew the Lord, and was blessed to be assured He walked beside her every step of the way.
She is survived by her son, John (Tami) Colby; daughter, Jane Colby; grandsons: Brendon and Michael Colby; granddaughter, Ariana Colby; great-grandchildren: Aidan, Sophia and Emilia; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.
Emily is preceded in death by both parents, John and Amelia Stelter; husband, Spencer Colby; daughter, Judy Colby; sisters: Thelma Seyfert, Christine Miller, Mathilda Lee, and Caroline Kohler; brothers: Christ, Fred, David, Sam, Jake and Carl Stelter; as well as many extended relatives.