Margaret Jane Emde

Margaret Jane Emde, passed away on October 15, 2009 surrounded by her loving family. Jane, a non-smoker, lost her long battle with lung cancer. She was born March 19, 1936 in Walkerville, Arkansas to John and Thelma (Pugh) Mason, who have preceded her in death. Jane completed her studies at Beebe High School at the age of 16 in 1952 and enrolled at Arkansas State Teacher's College with the goal of becoming a teacher like her parents. While at college, she met Thomas Gillen Emde of Bald Knob. They were married on April 1, 1955 and after the birth of their first child, she moved with her family to Cedar Falls, Iowa in 1956. After adding three sons to their young family, she returned to college earning a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Northern Iowa and then a Master's Degree in Library Science from the University of Minnesota. The Emde family returned to Bald Knob in 1970 where Jane was the librarian for Bald Knob High School. In 1975, the family moved to Miami, Arizona where Jane and her husband were educators in the Miami Unified School District. While in Arizona, Jane served as a teacher, a librarian, and ultimately became an administrator serving as the principal at four different schools within the district. Jane was always seeking additional challenges and during this time she traveled through Europe, earned her private pilot's license and completed her doctoral course work at Arizona State University before retiring in 1995. After retirement, she and Gillen returned to Bald Knob to be closer to family and friends. Jane became active in the local community where she served as former president of the Lion's Club, AARP, and Late Bloomers Garden Club. In addition, she was a master gardener, a CASA volunteer, a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy and an avid bridge player. Ever dedicated to the improvement of the community, Jane was a member of the Steward Addition Cemetery Board, worked at the Bald Knob Food Bank, served several years on the Bald Knob City Council and ran for mayor. Jane is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Gillen Emde; her sister Carol Killian of St. Peters, Missouri; children: Lece and husband Bob Miller, Bald Knob; Brad Emde, Bald Knob; Scott and wife Lisa Emde, Newport News, VA; Jeff and wife Danna Emde, Williamsburg, VA; grandchildren: Whitney Miller, New York, NY; Devon Miller, Bald Knob; Michelle and husband Jake Lindsay, Yelm, WA; Rachel Emde, Richmond, VA; Scott Emde, Norfolk, VA; Damon Emde, Arlington, VA; Tabitha Emde, Williamsburg, VA; great-grandchildren Tanner Lindsay, Yelm, WA; and Mia Lindsay, Yelm, WA. Jane was a loving mother, devoted grandmother and doting great-grandmother. She was a generous, giving spirit. She encouraged her children to learn, to explore, to experience life, and be whatever they sought to be. An animal lover from a very early age, she always welcomed whomever arrived at her home be they feathered, finned, furred or scaled. She leaves behind many friends, a loving family, her two Yorkies, Abbie and Betsy, and her faithful mutt, Zach. She was the love, strength, and unity of the family and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. A celebration of Jane's life will be held 2 pm, Sunday October 18, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church in Bald Knob. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Bald Knob Community Food Bank at the Methodist Church or the Bald Knob Education Foundation.

Margaret Jane Emde

March 19, 1936 - October 15, 2009