Emily Ilene Franklund, 74, of Wilton, ND passed away May 6, 2025 at CHI St. Alexius Hospital, Bismarck, ND.  Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at Mission Evangelical Free Church, Wilton, ND.  Burial will be at 12:00 Noon on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in the ND Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan, ND.  Visitation will be held from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at the church.  There will be a prayer service at 7pm.  The funeral service will be livestreamed at the bottom of Emily's obituary on this page.

Emily was born on July 23, 1950, in Minot, North Dakota, to Joyce and Spencer Estvold. She was raised on the Estvold family farm outside of Parshall, where her love for rural life took root early driving the grain truck and combine, showing Hereford cattle in 4-H, and waking her father with early-morning euphonium practice. Summers were often spent water skiing and making memories at the family's lake cabin on Lake Sakakawea.

A graduate of Parshall High School in 1968, Emily went on to attend North Dakota State University. There, she was a member of the marching band, Phi Mu sorority, and earned her bachelor's degree in special education. She began her teaching career in West Fargo before following her heart back to rural life.

On November 23, 1974, Emily married Lorin Franklund, at First Lutheran Church in Parshall. From there, they moved to a farm seven miles west of Wilton and Emily taught at several surrounding schools. Together, they built a life filled with purpose and hard work. Emily even took top billing on the name MNI Ranch. Emily enjoyed ranch life driving combine, working cattle, handling the accounting, and staying active in every part of the operation. She remained a vital presence on the ranch for the rest of her life.

Emily's life was grounded in faith, family, and community. She was a devoted member of the Mission Church and served for many years on the Wilton School Board. Emily treasured her role as a grandmother. Her kitchen table was the heart of the home, where she baked goodies with the grandkids and kept watch over the calving pen and other farming activities. Her grandchildren held a special place in her heart.

Emily is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Lorin; and their four children: Deric (Sara), Roark (Abigail), Sheena, and Tyrel. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Brandon, Tyler, Ryan, Sydney, Emma, Jake, Reece, Collin, and Iyla, and a great-grandmother to Oliver. She is also survived by her brother, Mike (Penny) Estvold; her sister, JoEllen (Jeff) Connell; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Spencer and Joyce Estvold; her in-laws, Laurence and Ruth Franklund; and her brother-in-law, Wes Ecker.

Emily's warmth, strength, and unwavering love for her family and the land will be remembered always.