Emma Hamers

Emma Hamers, 90, Bismarck, died January 22, 2010, at Medcenter One Hospital, Bismarck. Services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Washington Street and Divide Avenue, Bismarck, with Rev. Jeff Tengesdal and Rev. Robert Lynne officiating. Burial will be held in Drake Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm Monday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:30 pm Monday. Emma Rauschenberger, daughter of Gottlieb and Katie Jeske Rauschenberger was born on February 6, 1919, on a farm near Kief, ND. She graduated as the valedictorian from Kief High School. As a young girl, she worked for various families to supplement her own family’s income, although she dearly missed her family at home. She learned to clean, cook, iron, and became a “neat nick.” After graduation, she worked in the Farmers Store in Drake, where she met her future husband, Woodrow Hamers, and they were married on October 15, 1938. World War II brought Emma and Woody to Bremerton, WA, where Woody worked in the shipyards. Upon their return to Drake, Emma was a stay-at-home wife and mom, although she worked part-time for awhile baking 14 pies, 6 cakes, and a batch of doughnuts before noon. Her baking skills continued forever. There was always “scratch” angel food in the freezer for a family birthday. Some of her other specialties were, Kuchen and homemade baked noodles. Emma and Woody moved to Harvey, ND, in 1978, as Woody was working for the Soo Line railroad until retirement in 1980. During this time, Emma managed the Americana Motel. In 1982 Bismarck was their destination to be near family and make new friends. Emma was a faithful member of Martha Circle and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Words to describe Mom are many: kind, dignified, loving, honest, and stylish. Crossword puzzles were addictive for her, as well as the Minnesota Twins. Now she will have “the best” seat in the house cheering for her Twins. Emma is survived and will be dearly missed by her husband, Woodrow of Bismarck; her daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Darrell McQuay of Bismarck; two grandchildren, Scott Wendy McQuay of Fargo, and Suzan Terry Buetow of Bismarck; six great-grandchildren, Chelsey and Zachary McQuay, Kyle, Breanna, and Taylor Roth, and Alyssa Buetow; two step great-grandchildren, Ashley and Chelsea Buetow; one brother, Gilbert Lu Rauschenberger of Bismarck; sister-in-law, Ruth Rauschenberger of Minot; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Christopher McQuay; her parents; her sisters, Linda Isaak, Rosella Hauff, Ida Isaak and Freda Helm and four brothers, Johnny, Harold, Roland, and Leonard Rauschenberger. She endured various illnesses in recent years, breast cancer twice and a broken leg, but leukemia finally claimed her life. No more suffering for her now and she is happy in her new home with her siblings and her parents. The daily telephone calls and her love will be missed. She was a friend to all that knew her. Our love will always be with her.

Emma Hamers

February 6, 1919 - January 22, 2010