Emma Waack
Emma Regina Waack, 100, of Winner, S.D., passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility in Winner. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the Christ Lutheran Church in Winner. Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 23, 2014, at the Christ Lutheran Church from 5-7:00 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7:00.
Emma Regina Waack was born to John and Maria (Brunch) Karlin near Millboro in Tripp County on January 1, 1914. When Emma was four years old the family moved to Tripp where she attended school through the 5th grade. In 1925 the family moved to Mellette County, southwest of White River and she completed the 8th grade in a rural school. In 1987 she took a GED test, passed it on the first try and received her High School equivalency at age 73.
Emma was married to Herbert Waack December 19, 1931. To this union five daughters were born; Esther, Dorothy, Mildred, Barbara and Linda. Esther passed away shortly after birth, and Barbara died January 13, 2009. Herbert and Emma celebrated 67 years together before his passing in 1999 at the age of 92.
Emma remembered her early years of marriage during the depression era being difficult, but when the rains came, life on the farm was much better with the success of raising wheat and cattle. Besides working as a faithful housewife, Emma worked in the Pioneer Store in Norris for several years and also helped in the Post Office whenever needed.
She will be remembered for her outstanding spelling, neat embroidery work, help with all activities and duties at her church, and especially for the delicious meals prepared endlessly for family and friends.
Emma was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church at Norris where she was a charter member of St. John’s Ladies Aid and a Sunday school teacher for fourteen years. In March of 1978 Herbert and Emma moved to Winner and became members of Christ Lutheran Church.
Emma celebrated life to the fullest. She was an avid bowler and a wicked card player, but mostly loved the many friends she made while doing both. She was happy to achieve her goal to live 100 years and to be in her own home until the last month. Emma so enjoyed visits from her many grand, great, and great-great grandchildren. She was truly the Matriarch of the family and will be greatly missed.
Emma is survived by her daughters, Dorothy Piper and Mildred Mechaley of Winner, and Linda (Alfred) Markworth of Corder, Missouri; sister Marie Banek and sister-in-law Ida Karlin of Winner; nineteen grandchildren and several great and great-great grandchildren and also nieces and nephews.
Emma was preceded in death by her parents; husband Herbert; daughters Esther and Barbara England; sons-in-law Joe Mechaley, Ed Piper and Ted England; sister Leona Merchen and brothers John, William and Tobias.