Emma "Miss Emma" Catherine Walter

Emma C. Walter

One of Niobrara's most loved and respected personalities, Emma Walter, affectionately known as "Miss Emma" by everyone who knew her, passed away quietly in her home Saturday morning January 28th. With her at the time was Pearl Roberts, a close friend and neighbor.

This ended a life devoted to service to others. She cared for her parents until they passed away. When her brothers' wife passed away in 1940, she took his three children, Kathryn Lund, Warren Walter and Joyce Kilmer, and made a home for them.

She served nine years on District five school board. Her teaching career started in 1919 in a one room school house, with twenty-eight pupils. This lasted until 1922. She began teaching again in Node in 1939, and continued until 1965, when she retired, at the age of seventy. To qualify for a Wyoming Teachers certificate, she attended the University of Wyoming and the college in Spearfish, S. Dak. The success of her teaching career has been proven by the pupils who have gone on to become successful in all walks of life. After her retirement, she continued to serve others. She helped organize the first Niobrara County Retired Teachers Association, was a worker in the Volunteer Program for Senior Citizens, a member of the Hospital Auxiliary, Church Women United, and Lusk Council of Catholic Women.

She was a devout Catholic and served many hours in service to her church. Her favorite past time was gathering mail, running errands, and visiting "older" folks in Lusk. She visited the hospital and nursing home daily, and delivered meals on wheels.

She was honored by the Niobrara Alumni Association in 1960. The auditorium was packed with former students, school patrons, friends, and associates.

Emma Catherine Walter, daughter of Albert and Francis Walter, was born April 4, 1895, in Ottawa, Illinois. She moved with her parents to Indiana and later to Minnesota. They moved to Niobrara County in 1919. Emma homesteaded near Lance Creek. She later purchased a ranch near Node. Preceding her in death were her parents, brothers, Albert and Ray, and sisters Verda Sides, and Eva Updike, and a nephew. She is survived by six nieces and nephews.

Rosary service was at the Peet Mortuary at 7:00 p.m. January 31st. Funeral service was held at St. Leo's Catholic Church Wednesday, February 1st, at 10 a.m. The organist was Carol Edinger. Geraldine Waldock and Norma Wilson were the vocalists. Pallbearers were Pete Germann, Bill Dockery, Noal Larson, Joe Pfister, Chuck Bruch, and Dave Edinger. Council of Catholic Women served the dinner.

Following is a poem written by Verla Etchemendy, which tells Emma's life.

She's a friend to all who knew her
She's like a mother to some too.
She never takes time for herself
Till others' errands are through.
"Osie" needs a loaf of bread,
I"ve got to take Father his mail
Winona wants a ride to the church,
Today's that church bake sale.
Verla, say the second decade for Anne;
She isn't doing so good.
I'll pick up Laura and see you at the meeting.
I'd get Jane if I could.

God blessed St Leo's with this Lady,
A dearer one we've never met
Our thanks to you, "Miss Emma"
You're a gem we'll never forget.

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