Emma Jean Drissen

     Emma Drissen, 78, of Vermillion, SD passed away August 11, 2022, after a brief illness.

     Emma Jean Sorensen was born December 24, 1943 in Yankton, SD to Lloyd and Jo (Peterson) Sorensen.

     In 1962, while working at Chimes Café, Emma met Ed Drissen, a graduate student at USD.  Following her graduation from Vermillion High School in 1962, she moved to Madison, WI, where Ed was pursuing his doctorate.  She was working at Dean Medical Clinic until their marriage on February 27, 1965.

     They moved to Miami, FL, where their daughter Jennifer Ann was born in 1967.  In 1968, they settled in Rockford, IL where their son John William was born in 1970.

     In 1998, Emma had an opportunity to work with the Vermillion Chamber of Commerce, and from there she managed Never Never Land and later worked at the Nook and Cranny in Vermillion until retiring in 2017.

     Emma’s life was filled with love of family, laughter, music and her parting words were always “Thanks, you’ve been a great audience.”

     She was preceded in death by her parents Lloyd and Jo, sisters Joann Bernard, Karen (Bliss) Hansen, and Adeline Street.  Surviving her are her husband Ed of 57 years, of Vermillion, her children: Jennifer of Omaha, NE, John of Rockford, IL and siblings: Lloyd Jr., Bonnie, Jim, Trudy, Linda and many nieces and nephews.

     A time to greet family will be Monday, August 15 from 5-7 PM at the Hansen Funeral Home in Vermillion.  There will be no services and a private burial of ashes at a later date.  HansenFuneralHome.com.