Emma Lou Sederholm, aged 91, passed away at her home on August 8, 2025. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa on August 14, 1933 to the late Lewis and Lucille (Custer) Fuller. Emma Lou grew up in the Bondurant/Altoona Iowa area, the proud daughter of farmers.

She attended the University of Iowa, Iowa City and studied to become a Speech/Hearing Therapist. While at college, she met Frederic Sederholm and they were married on June 11, 1955. While Fred worked on his Ph.D. at Iowa City, Emma Lou was busy helping start Speech/Hearing programs at several rural Iowa school districts.

In 1961, Emma Lou and Fred settled in Whitewater after Fred accepted a faculty position at UW-W in the Speech/Theatre Department. Their daughter, Kristin, was born in 1962 and another daughter, Karen, followed in 1966. In addition to embracing motherhood, Emma Lou worked as a Speech/Hearing Therapist for the Whitewater Unified School District for several years.

Emma Lou was a founding member of the Whitewater League of Women Voters, serving as their President for several terms. She also was active in the U.U. Whitewater Fellowship and the U.U. Church of the Lakes in Elkhorn.

In addition to being a Speech/Hearing Therapist, Emma Lou worked in Research and Development for News Log International and as an Administrative Assistant for Holton Food Products.

Emma Lou loved to travel, take care of her flower gardens and read books. Her greatest accomplishment was being a loving mother and grandmother. She always looked forward to family gatherings and our annual family vacations.

Emma Lou is survived by her daughters, Kristin Sederholm and Karen O’Donnell, her grandchildren, Nikita Kammerer and Emily O’Donnell and son-in-law, Louis Kammerer.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by Fred Sederholm, her longtime companion Paul Holton and son-in-law, Kelly O’Donnell.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Emma Lou’s caregivers from Home Instead, Janesville, and the Hospice Staff from Commonheart, Watertown.

There will not be a service for Emma Lou. Thank you so much for all the support and acts of kindness shown at this difficult time. Emma Lou will be immensely missed by her family and friends. She was a remarkable mentor and role model and will forever be in our hearts.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family and online condolences can be made at nitardyfuneralhome.com.