Emma Jean Sager, 89

Emma Jean Sager, 89, passed away early on the morning of Sunday, March 23, 2008, at Brendan House in Kalispell. This was Easter Sunday, 'so her resurrection followed in the footsteps of her Lord Jesus. What a perfect day to go to heaven!'

Emma was born Nov. 6, 1918, to Henry and Augusta Jelinek in Ainsworth, Neb. Her childhood was anything but easy, as her mother died when she was 6 days old. When her father remarried a few years later, Emma inherited a stepmother and stepbrothers and stepsister who were less than kind. The family lived on a farm and Emma was required to do more than her share of the work of milking cows, picking up corn cobs in the pig pen, and running corn through the cornsheller, which was the origin of a serious hand and finger injury.

At age 20, Emma went to Illinois to live with a brother-in-law on a farm there, but that too, was a very difficult situation. After her father died, she returned to Nebraska, lived with different relations, worked in a chicken factory and on a cattle ranch, and did miscellaneous farm work.

Emma's big break in life was meeting a co-corn picker named Elgie. He was 50 years old, having previously been married, and Emma was 29 years of age. They married in 1947 and moved to the Sager family home in Rollins, which was home for the next 46 years. Emma and Elgie were both very active in the Rollins community affairs throughout their lives, she being a charter member of the Women of Rollins Club. Elgie and Emma were both loved and respected by all who had the good fortune to know them. He was a great storyteller and was often classified as 'one of the most unforgettable characters I've ever known.' He passed away in 1993 at 96 years of age. Emma was affectionately known as the 'Queen of Rollins.'

Life was not easy for Emma and Elgie, doing odd jobs for people in the neighborhood, working in the woods, growing a garden, etc. But they enjoyed life and never complained. A big improvement in their lives came when after many years of living in their home, they finally got inside plumbing.

Emma's life and personality were characterized by a smile, corny jokes, participating in virtually every activity available at her residence (Bible study and devotions being her favorites), doing puzzles and word games, and doing her best to do things that would help other people. In her more active years, she was a valued member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

The night before Emma passed away, she hung a blouse on the chair in her room with a corsage attached. She was looking forward to Easter Sunday and visiting with friends from her church. Her Easter was spent in heaven. Earlier that week, as in previous weeks, Emma was mentally and physically active. Emma is survived by a brother, Charles Jelinek, and his family in Boulder, Colo. There also are numerous relatives on the Sager side of the family.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 12, at Easthaven Baptist Church. Lunch will be afterward, followed by internment at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery at the Sager family plot, where Emma will be with Elgie and his parents.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Emma Sager Scholarship Fund, c/o the Women of Rollins Club, P.O. Box 192, Rollins, MT 59931; or the Easthaven Baptist Church, 2010 Whitefish Stage Road, Kalispell, MT 59901; or to a charity of choice.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family. Please send condolences to www.buffalohillfh.com.