Emma Rosina Finbeiner Templin Metzker, 94

Emma Rosina Finbeiner Templin Metzker, 94, passed away from natural causes at Edgewood Vista in Kalispell on April 20, 2016.

Emma was the fifth child in a family of eight children, born to Jacob and Rosina Finbeiner. She was born on the family farm out of Max, North Dakota, on Oct. 2, 1921, and attended Chrystal School there.

She was married in 1942 to Bernie Dale Templin, who was killed that same year in World War II. She was remarried in 1945 to William J. “Buss” Metzker, who preceded her in death in 1991.

She resided in Plains from 1945 until August 2011, when she moved to the Flathead to be near family.

She is survived by one remaining sister, Dorraine Gerlitz, of Eugene, Oregon; a stepdaughter, Judy Warren, of Bigfork; four daughters, Bonnie Gagnon and Nancy Tucker, both of Columbia Falls, Sally and Norman Wold of Laurel, and Sherry and Dan “Hap” Cheff of Trout Creek; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and numerous extended family.

Emma was a homemaker until 1967 when she went to work at McGowan’s Grocery in Plains in the meat department. She retired from McGowan’s in 1986. She went to work to help her four girls to go to school. Emma loved children and family. She was an avid gardener, loved to sew and cook, liked to clean house, and enjoyed ice fishing and traveling to see family. She was known for her hospitality — she fed everyone. As an avid baker, she always had a cookie or a pie for family and friends. She was very active in her church and the Senior Center in Plains. She was one of the three ladies instrumental in starting the First Lutheran Church in Plains, and was a member of that church until her death. Emma was the rock on which her family was built, and she worked and helped her family her entire life.

Funeral services for Emma will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Kalispell. A graveside service in Plains will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31, with refreshments at First Lutheran Church following services.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Calvary Lutheran Church in Kalispell for the Community Kitchen or to First Lutheran Church in Plains for pew cushions.