Emma L. Waldner, age 91, of Carpenter, passed away Saturday, March 3, 2018, at the Huron Regional Medical Center. Her funeral service was held at 2:00 PM, Friday, March 9th, at the Prairie Bible Church, rural Carpenter. Burial was in the Prairie Bible Church Cemetery. Her family request memorials be directed to theChild Evangelism Fellowship.
Emma was born October 7, 1926, to William and Katrina Hofer of Bridgewater, South Dakota. She attended country school in rural McCook County. She graduated from Bridgewater High School in 1944. Emma attended Freeman Junior College where she earned her teaching certificate. She taught at Wheeler School and Foote School by Carpenter and Richland Township School by Cavour.
On June 27, 1948, Emma married John E. Waldner. In 1949, they bought their farm, of which needed lots of work. It had no trees, no running water, no driveway, and no paint on the buildings. Together they cleaned up the farm and made improvements. Emma enjoyed working around the farm, picking corn by hand, milking cows by hand, and tending to her vegetable and flower gardens. She enjoyed "grade the farm" games to pass the time while traveling in the car.
Emma was a lady of strong faith. Having faithfully attended Prairie Bible Church for nearly 70 years, she was actively involved in teaching, missions, helping and giving in any way she could. She led or attended Bible friendship coffees for 30 years. She enjoyed making quilts, until she lost her eyesight in one eye, in 1996. Emma was very patriotic and loved her country. Emma cherished the time spent with her grandchildren, great-granddaughter, and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John on September 19, 2012; one grandson, Samuel Waldner; six sisters, Anna Hofer, Clara Miller, Susie Erb, Betty Glanzer, Mary Glanzer and Ruth Rinehart; and three brothers, Martin Hofer, Mike Hofer and Edmund Hofer.
Grateful for having shared in her life are her four sons, Ellery Waldner of Carpenter, Lonnie and Mary Waldner of Ontario, California, Daniel and Billie Waldner of Huron and Kendall Waldner of Carpenter; one daughter, Kayleen and David Puiszis of Hurst, Texas; seven grandsons, Aaron and Kimberley Puiszis, Taylor Waldner, Spencer Waldner, John James Waldner, William Waldner, Titus Waldner and Jed Waldner; one granddaughter, Grace Waldner; one great-granddaughter, Adeline Puiszis; one sister, Viola Handwerk; one brother-in-law, Norman and Marge Waldner; seven sisters-in-law, Berneice Kleinsasser, Naomi and Duane Gross, Pearl Hofer, Barbara and LeRoy Gross, Lucille Waldner, Lola Waldner and Julie Waldner; and many nieces and nephews.