Emma was born July 6, 1913, to German from Russia immigrants Henry Wilhelm and Eva Kathryn (Mueller) Becker in Minden, Nebraska. Her mother died shortly after Emma’s birth. Her father left her with neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. O.E. Barkley, and returned to Russia with Emma’s older sister. Emma was adopted by and lived with the Barkleys until she was seven when Mrs. Barkley died of cancer. Emma then went to live with Sherman and Mae Coe on their homestead farm near Alma, Nebraska. Eventually she was reunited with her birth father and sister, but continued to live with the Coes. She was raised with the seven Coe children and remembered the Coe family with love and gratitude her whole life. Emma attended District #40 school and later Huntley Consolidated School, graduating in 1932. She attended Hastings Business College for a semester and then went to work at the Minden City Light office. She worked at Toy National Bank in Sioux City, Iowa for 13 years and at the Bankers Trust Company in Des Moines, Iowa. Emma married Arthur (Abe) Sauvain in 1936. They had two daughters. Emma and Abe lived in many towns and cities in Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin due to transfers by Abe’s employer, Northern Natural Gas Company. Emma said her wealth was gathering friends along the way. She enjoyed playing bridge and doing crafts, especially making things for Christmas. Emma was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church, attending church and the Women’s Circles wherever she lived.
Emma was preceded in death by her three sets of parents, her husband, her sister Ida K. Ford, her Coe cousins, her daughter Sandra Lehmberg, and granddaughter Marcia Lehmberg. Emma is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Sonja and Henry Schneider, four grandsons Scott, Brett and Todd (Deusilene) Schneider, and Duff Lehmberg, one great grandson, three great granddaughters, and two great-great grandchildren.
The family expresses thanks to HoriSun Hospice caregivers for helping Emma on her last journey.
Graveside services will be held at Wyuka Cemetery on November 20, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. Visitation will be held in Wyuka Funeral Home on November 20, 2012 from Noon until 1:30 P.M.
Memorials may be left for HoriSun Hospice.
Dear Sonja, my Aunt Joleen Jones of So. Soo told me of your mother’s death, and my family wishes to express our sympathy. As children (of Daryl and Darline) we so much enjoyed visiting with your parents on Dakota Ave, such good friends of my grandparents Bernard and Elsie. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.