Emma A. Nowak

Emma A. Nowak entered into eternal life at Ogallala Hospital on September 18, 2021. She lived her 103 years in the Keith County, Nebraska area.

In her 103 years, Emma lived an iconic life. Emma was born to Emery and Sadie (Schuler) Lee on June 25, 1918, on their farm West of Ogallala. She was one of 5 children, including sisters Nellie (Henry "Hank") Mayden, and Maxine (Virgil "Butch") Madison; and her brothers, George (Maysel) Lee, and Charles "Bud" Lee.

Emma attended school in Ogallala and graduated with the class of 1936 from Ogallala Schools. She met Larry T. Nowak at school, and they were united in marriage on November 23, 1936, in Ogallala at St. Luke's Catholic Church. Emma and Larry were blessed with two children, Larry Gene and Gary Lee.

Emma and Larry farmed south of Brule, NE for close to 50 years. She worked out of the home and enjoyed many friends that she worked with over the years at TRW. Emma talked often and fondly of her coworkers. They bought their home in Ogallala in 1968, where she raised their grandchildren, Patrick, Diana, Teresa, and Tim. Emma joined St. Lukes Catholic Church when she married and has been a member ever since.

Blessed with true beauty inside and out, Emma was the life of every social occasion. She loved fresh garden produce and raised a large garden for most of her life. She enjoyed flowers and the outdoor space around her home, and the wildlife around it. Emma loved good food and serving people around her table; she prided herself in hospitality. Emma loved to bake and especially loved desserts. She regularly made cookies and cakes for visitors and family. Emma enjoyed visitors and telling stories from her childhood, her early married life, and her children's, grandchildren's, and great-grandchildren's lives. With her incredible memory, there wasn't a story she couldn't recall and share. She loved to travel and kept many photo albums of her life and travels to share with her family and friends. She especially loved traveling with her son, Gary, and staying in California over winters with him. She loved to dress up and go to events and share what and who she saw. Emma had a talent for weaving stories that would leave the room in stitches, and they all will live on for many years to come.

Emma was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Theodore; son, Larry Gene Nowak; sons-in-law, William Trulock Jr, and Steven Armstrong.

She is survived by her son, Gary; grandchildren Patrick (Sandy) Nowak of Gurney, NE, Diana Randall-Trulock of Colorado Springs, CO, Teresa (Rich) Kanning of Atlantic, IA, and Tim (Judy) Nowak of Menasha, WI, Ken Nowak of Santa Cruz, CA, Kristine (Dave Logie) Nowak of Mansfield, CT, and Annette Armstrong of San Antonio, TX. Survivors also include her great-grandchildren, Lisa (Chris) Adams, Rick (Lora) Kanning, Nick Nowak, April Hurrey, Wynston (Bo) Nowak, Cooper Nowak, Stephanie, and Jayson Trulock, Dawson, and Jaden Logie, Gaia Nowak, Daniel (Elizabeth) Armstrong, and Katherine (Mitch) Palermo; ten great-great-grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, and her faithful canine companion, Fin.

Memorials are suggested to St. Luke's Catholic Church or VFW, in Emma's memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live.

Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, at 10:00 am at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala with Fr. Bryan Ernest as Celebrant. Interment will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Monday, from 12 pm until 4 pm, at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala. The Rosary will be recited at 6 pm on Monday at St. Luke's Catholic Church.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.