Emma Mary Tschacher

Woman dies from Thanksgiving Day Tragedy

Ninety-two-year-old Emma Tschacher died Friday as the result of burns received as she was cooking her breakfast Thanksgiving morning. Edwin Tschacher, her son, said apparently as she reached over the cook stove her dress caught on fire.

Dressed for the holiday because the family was gathering at her home, Mrs. Tschacher was wearing a dress of a nylon fabric. Her mobile home is located close to the Edwin Tschachers' and he had earlier seen her through her kitchen window as she moved about the kitchen. Between 9 and 9:30 Mr. Tschacher said he discovered her lying on the kitchen floor.

She was brought by ambulance to Lusk and then transferred to the burn center at the University Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she died Friday. Local emergency medical personnel said that 95 percent of her body contained second and third degree burns. A burn team from the center arrived by airplane and transported Mrs. Tschacher to Salt Lake.

Emma Mary Tschacher was born August 16, 1890, at Hemingford, Neb., the daughter of Peter and Dora Annen. She died November 26, 1982, at the burn center of University Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Mrs. Tschacher received her education at Hemingford and taught rural school in that area for a few years. In 1909 she was married to Michael Tschacher. They moved to Wyoming in 1930 and farmed and ranched in the Manville area. In 1935 they moved into Manville where she made her home until 1979 when she moved to a mobile home near Edwin's home.

Rosary was recited Sunday evening at Peet Mortuary Chapel and the Mass of Resurrection was celebrated Monday morning with the Rev. Siu officiating. Verla Etchemendy, accompanied by Karen Edinger on the organ, sang "How Great Thou Art" and "The Old Rugged Cross."

Casket bearers were Loran Burke, Gary Brooks, Michael Tschacher, Darrel Tschacher, Donald Brooks, Patrick Tschacher, Lee Tschacher and Mark Tschacher. Interment was in the Lusk Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established to the Senior Center in Lusk.

Mrs. Tschacher's husband died in 1958. She was also preceded in death by a son Lewis, two grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

She is survived by two daughters, Laura Burke of Glendo and Adelyn Johnson of Enid, Okla.; two sons Lloyd and Edwin, both of the Manville area; three sisters Lena Delsing and Edna Roland of Hemingford, and Agnes Bulchart of San Diego, Calif.; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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