Betty Lou (Miner) Emerson, 97, of Dubuque, IA, passed away May 12, 2025 of a heart attack, at Harmony Care Center in Dubuque, IA.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jeffery Durham officiating. The burial will take place at a later date in Linwood Cemetery.

Betty Lou was born March 30^th, 1928, in Dubuque, IA, to Harry and Alma (Friedlein) Miner. She was a 1946 graduate of Dubuque Senior High School. She married Everette Emerson February 17, 1957, in Dubuque, IA, they later separated after 30 years.

She worked for the Dubuque Pack and Stampfer’s prior to her over 30-year career at North Western Bell. Betty Lou was involved in American Legion Auxillary Unit 6, American Indian Relief Council, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Century Link Pioneers, Third Presbyterian (AKA Grace Point) Church.

Betty Lou was the first woman in Dubuque to own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. She enjoyed shorthand, and the clarinet in the school band. She was a huge Willie Nelson fan and saw Elvis Presley in concert, and loved dances at Melody Mill. Betty Lou also enjoyed Amanda’s exotic animals, and her three trips to Hawaii. She was always full of humor; her independence was admirable.

She is survived by her daughter, Diane L Emerson; son, Michael E (Melissa) Emerson; five grandchildren, Elizabeth (Zachary) Siebels, Natasha (Fiancé Travis Johnston) Weitz, Jamie (Jeff) Hammerand, Amanda (Kaleb Northouse) Quatrochi, and Cassidy Emerson; seven great- grandchildren; former sons-in-laws, Paul Weitz and Anthony Quatrochi; brother, Verner (George) Miner; sisters-in-law, Mary Slauson and Cheryl Emerson.

Betty Lou is preceded in death by her former spouse Everette Emerson on February 15, 2025, daughter Judy (Emerson) Weitz on April 26, 2013, her parents, Harry 1957 and Alma 1943, parents-in-law Eugene and Dorothy (McElrath) Emerson, and her sister, Harriet (Ralph) Heller and sister-in-law Jean (Himebaugh) Miner.

The family requests no flowers, but memorials in Betty Lou’s name may be made to Grace Point Church (aka Third Presbyterian Church)

The family would like to especially Diane Emerson for her devoted love and care of Betty Lou, and also thank the compassionate staff at Harmony especially, Justin Burgess, Beyonce Pitts, Felicia Seay, Rosa, Chelsey, Kristina, Luann, Kim, Norine, Kayla, Donna, Lynn, Roxy and so many more. Betty really enjoyed her niece Kay Heller and friend June Duttle’s regular visits.