Emma Lea Williams

About Emma

Mrs. Emma Lea (Lockard) Williams, 91, Bemidji, MN, died Saturday, March 8th, 2025, one day before her 92nd birthday. She was the daughter of John and Hazel Lockard, Lovejoy, PA, born March 9th, 1933, in Hillsdale, PA.

She is survived by her five daughters - Pam (Gary) Dahl, Northome, MN, Luanne (Bruce) Stangler, St.Cloud, MN, Janice Crimando, Prior Lake, MN, Penny (Dave) Roberts, Westerville, OH, and Belinda (Frank) McPhee, Bemidji, MN, 15 Grandchildren, 29 Great Grandchildren and 4 Great-Great Grandchildren, Sister, Peggy Mumau, Marion Center, PA, many nieces and nephews and her loyal and beloved pup, Bella.

Emma Lea grew up in Commodore, PA where she attended Green Township High School. She lettered all four years in basketball, was in the choir, played piano and was the Homecoming Queen her senior year.

After moving to Bemidji, she worked with her husband, Bernie, at Bemidji State University in the food service department. They were instrumental in the annual Madrigal dinners held at the college and the Ducks Unlimited banquets held at John Glass Field House. She eventually started a home daycare seeing somewhere between 50-60 children come through her doors and go on to graduate. Many still live in the Bemidji area. Later in life she enjoyed making small wood projects, painting them, sewing and visits from her ever growing family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernie Williams, Great Grandchildren, Thomas and Sadie Tower and Jaxon McPhee, Siblings Albert, Avanell, Delores and Lloyd Lockard, sisters-in-law Edna and Sharon Lockard, brother-in-law Robert Mumau.

memorial service

A graveside service will be held by family and celebration of life to be determined.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home