Lois M. Emde

Lois M. Emde, 85, of Grand Island died Thursday, October 3, 2013, at Country House in Grand Island. Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday at the Apfel Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Christ Ev. Lutheran Church in Grand Island. Lois Marie Emde was born December 1, 1927, at Burwell, NE to Alton H. and Clara B. Dot (Miller) Bentley. Lois grew up in Wheeler County receiving her education in the public schools. When Lois was 12 or 13 years old, she and her sister would get on their horses and go for a ride to set under some trees while eating cheerios and visiting. They knew they had to be home in time to do chores. She married Melvin (Andy) G. Emde on March 13, 1948, at Neligh, NE. After marriage they made their home in towns around Nebraska; Omaha, Broken Bow, Chambers and Neligh. Lois worked at the Boys Town Post Office in Omaha. The couple moved to Grand Island in 1956 and Lois worked for Hazens Dry Cleaning for 8 years and Leon Plastics for 17 years. Lois enjoyed working on genealogy and learning the computer to email friends and family. She taught herself to crochet and made many doilies and afghans. When the sandhill cranes migrated, she loved to go out and watch them dance in the fields and listen to them chatter. Family was cherished, so anytime there was something going on that involved family, she was ready to attend with her beautiful smile and her cheerful laugh. Lois was expecting the arrival of her first great-great grandson in November. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Laura Emde of Grand Island; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Terry Leitschuck of Grand Island; one sister, Leola McCain of Burwell; five grandchildren, Angela Alexander, Larry and Roxann Emde, David and Jessica Emde, Tammy and Mike Rodenbaugh and Travis and Jennifer Leitschuck, all of Grand Island, and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Melvin Emde; an infant brother, a granddaughter, Dawn Michelle Leitschuck, a brother-in-law, Edd McCain, a brother-in-law and his wife; Gus and Magel Suhr, a sister-in-law; Betty Cantu, and a nephew; David McCain.