Vernon Emmett Brollier, 80, of Boise, left us on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Emmett was born June 28, 1943 in Wichita, Kansas to Vernon and Ruth Brollier. Later, the family settled in Boise where Emmett and his siblings were raised. Emmett’s independence and strong work ethic began early with his paper routes and other jobs. Not a fan of structured academics, Emmett tolerated school, and then joined the Navy after graduating from Boise High in 1961. He served in the Navy for four years, and garnered a whole new education about life. 

When he returned to Boise in 1965, he met Catherine Elorrieta at Brass Lamp Pizza in Boise, and eight months later they married. He began attending Boise Junior College, where to his surprise, he discovered when he put in effort, he could easily pass classes. During the summers, Catherine and Emmett would trek up to Alaska where he worked on the Al-Can Highway. Their first daughter, Genie, was born in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1967. 

In 1970, after graduating with a BA in Marketing. Emmett was hired at First Security Bank, later Wells Fargo. He was also a graduate of Pacific Northwest Banking School. He worked at and/or managed branches all over Idaho during his 34 years with the bank: Boise, Burley, Pocatello, Blackfoot, Idaho Falls, Orofino, Jerome, Twin Falls, Nampa. 

Over the years, Emmett and Catherine produced four more daughters and were busy parenting them. Emmett spent time gardening and finishing houses with each move. He excelled at being a dad to his five girls - massaging away leg aches at night, playing games, and attending school and sports activities.   

He also enjoyed time with his buddies. October brought big game hunting trips in the mountains. Fall and winter meant hours traipsing through fields or sheltered in duck blinds with friends. There were also fishing trips to Alaska, and seasonal golfing. 

Emmett was always active in the community with service organizations like Rotary and Kiwanis. He started a Pheasants Forever chapter in Jerome, was involved with Ducks Unlimited, and served as a Jerome County Commissioner. He supported several conservation organizations like the Nature Conservatory and Yellowstone Park Forever, and read their magazines with dedication. 

After retiring, Emmett and Catherine moved back to Boise, and Emmett kept himself busy. He leaned into his love of reading and devoured legions of books. He often rode his bike to the post office and library. He was a dedicated dumpster diver at BSU, and rescued countless items of clothing, coffee makers, vacuums, bedding, and other college student possessions which Catherine cleaned up and donated. He assisted in caring for the revolving door of grandchildren arriving regularly at the Chrisway house, and fostered flocks of ducks in the backyard. 

Emmett loved the outdoors. He and Catherine enjoyed yearly excursions to Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and the Oregon Coast, often accompanied by children, grandchildren, and/or friends. 

In 2018, Emmett was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma, but responded well to the immunotherapy he received. His quality of life remained high under the care of oncologists, Catherine, and his daughter, Megan.  

Both at home and at work, Emmett was known for being kind, fair, and generous. His faith in God was strong and he was a model of Christ’s love. People felt comfortable in his presence, and his subtle sense of humor kept us all laughing. He was a stellar spouse, father, brother, grandfather, and friend.   

Emmett is survived by his loving and supportive family - his wife, Catherine; his daughters and their spouses, Genie Brollier, Nicole (Jim Pape), Rachel (Bryan Bolles), Megan (Mark Borkowski), and Rebecca Brollier (Michael Wilhelm); ten grandchildren; his brother Phil Brollier, and sister Esther (Skip Oppenheimer). 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, March 9 at  Sacred Heart Church in Boise, Idaho. There will be a light luncheon to follow. A private family interment will be held at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at a later date. The family suggests memorials be made to St. Vincent de Paul or a local food bank in lieu of flowers.