I'm very sorry for your great loss.  I knew Emily in elementary school and have fond memories of sitting together on the bus and playing after school.  I remember her love of horses and how sweet and happy she was. She was always kind and caring toward others.  I am encouraged to hear about her faith, and look forward to seeing her again in heaven. 

My prayers are with you, 

Jennifer

Dear Kevin and Family,

Emma, "At HOME with the LORD!" (II Corinthians 5:8) What an earth-shaking surprise! But we know where she is, and we know that she is now completely relaxed. We know she is saying, "Finally, I'm HOME!"

But you and the family don't sense it that way yet. Your turn is coming. We know that the Presence of the Lord by His Holy Spirit will bring a deep peace to you, each one. Finally, Emma is free from the long, long fight with cancer.

Esther and I are praying for you, and remembering the times of great fellowship we had with you  in Ukraine. Love in Christ, Rollie and Esther. 

I am praying for Pastor Kevin, family and Calvary Family. 

As I write this, you are all lifting the memory of her life to God's glory.  I chose not to attend, to make sure there would be one more seat if needed, but as I sit here in my warm home, I'll admit to a bit of regret at that decision.  I've known some beautiful women in Christ, and Emma makes the top of that list.  What love has poured from her for others, and what witness to Christ she has made her life.  I was in her Bible study in 2007-2008 when she first returned to Rochester and learned of the cancer.  We prayed that year, harder than I have ever prayed before.  For her, for others, for myself.  We saw amazing things that year, and lifted each other in ways that may never be reproduced in my life.  I will treasure that year for always, as we walked through each other's trials and joys, heartaches and victories. 

I am praying for you as you mourn.  There is always a joy in knowing that a loved one is with Jesus, but it does not remove the pain of the loss.  A hole is opened in our hearts, and the healing must be given time to be filled with God's comfort and strength.  I am praying that no one tries to rush the healing, that others will keep silent when they do not know the words, and simply pray, and hug, and love from afar. 

May His Love hold you closer than ever,

Christine Howard

As new members of Calvary in the last two years, we were impacted by Emma's personality, warmth, and faith. We especially enjoyed worship times, seeing her sit beside Pastor Kevin, raising her hands and voice in praise to the Lord she and we love so deeply. Praise was on her heart continually and her life on earth touched many. God's place for her in a mansion in eternity is assured, as, in our imagination, is her place in His heavenly choirs of praise!

Our heartfelt sympathy for all those who knew her more intimately than we had to chance to, and especially her family, who loved her deeply and will feel the void of her loss most keenly. 

Terry and Julie Zuehlke

Kevin, I am so sorry for your loss, and though I know it was anticipated for a long time, it still hurts. My prayer for you and the children is that as God comforts you, may he use everyone at Calvary to minister to you all, as you and Emma have done for so long.  We will always remember her beautiful voice and smiles, knowing she is with Abba now and forever.

So sorry to the entire family for this great loss.  Emily, as we knew her, was our neighbor many years ago on Partridge Drive.  A wonderful girl back then and as I read about her now, she was a wonderful person through and through her entire life.  She will be missed by many.  

I have had three windows open on my phone and one on my tablet trying to comprise the perfect condolence.  Obviously there is not one. My heart wants to hug and drip tears all over Emma's family and friends that are family.

 I am a better woman for knowing Emma.

Emma made a difference in our families life in many ways. Important ways to us. 

I pray that God gives you all comfort and healing while rejoicing that she is with our Father. 

Sending my sympathy to your family as you grieve the loss of dear Emma. I share with you in spirit as you celebrate Emma's life on earth and now in heaven. May you feel God's love in special ways in the days and weeks to come.

My love and prayers,

Nancy Monsen 

Dear Aunt Rosi, Missy, Tina and Karrie,

      I just wanted you to know that we are thinking of you all and your families as you begin to go on with life without your precious daughter and sister.  Although I only personally met Emily when she and Karrie came with Rosi to Miami in late 1980, I feel as though I've gotten to know her, and all of you, these past few years on facebook.  I am very thankful for that.  Jeff has always spoken so fondly of his time with his "girl cousins in Minnesota" and I can see how truly special you all are.  I'm glad that you have each other and your strong faith in the Lord, and I'm glad that Emily is no longer suffering.  Please know, as one of four sisters who lost one of mine ten years ago, my heart goes out to you now.  Jeff sends his love and hugs to you all.  May God bring you his peace.

With much love,

Amy and Jeff

Prayers for peace and beautiful memories.  I'm so sorry for your loss.

We are all blessed with special people in our lives.  For me, it started with amazing parents, family, and family-by-choice in childhood.  As an adult, I have had the privilege to know some amazing individuals, but one stands out.

During my third week in medical school, I was introduced to a fellow mom only 5 yrs my senior.  She had dedicated her life to others overseas and came back to the states because of a lump.  Just a lump.  A small thing with surprising significance.

I met her as she flew back to the US.  I was there when the pathology was discovered, sat with her during the chemo, the radiation, and the complications.  It wasn't long before I appreciated the gift that was "Emma".  I may have explained medical terminology, but she taught me how to surrender my life to God and family.  She changed me.   No...she TOUCHED me.  I'm proud to say that I am a better mother, partner, and woman because of Emma.

Kevin, Mitchell, Alex, and Gracie- I offer my deepest condolences and love.  I also offer it to anyone that was blessed by this beautiful woman.

We knew Emma and her family while we were members of Calvary in 1992-93 before moving from Rochester to Raleigh.  Our sincere condolences on her passing, though we share your joy that she has "graduated to glory." We don't know what her total impact on the world was, but are confident that it was considerable.

My heart goes out to all of you as you grieve Emma's passing. I only knew her through Rosi's stories of love and suffering. What a lovely person she was and what a lasting love she'll leave with you all.

Rosi and family,

I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter Emma. She fought long and hard. She won the race. She is with our heavenly Father now, what a wonderful place. I never got to meet her, but know she will be missed by anyone who did know her. My prayers go out to the family for peace and comfort as you process her absence, before you see her again. Hugs~

A precious jewel has been plucked from the garden of time.  Her faith and her spirit were extraordinary and she oozed love and joy.  God bless her precious family that grieves so deeply at this time.

I knew Emma and Kevin from younger days at camp. When returning from the Ukraine they befriended some of our best friends Mike and Vicki. Emma was such a joy bringer to those around her. Kevin and kids you will be in my prayers for years to come, draw your strength from her memories and God's love for you all. I am so sorry for your loss, but know Emma has gained while we still have Christ. May God give you the peace you need each step of every day. In Christ, Eric

Barb and I are saddened by what the loss of Emma's earthly presence will have on Kevin and the children. We are joyful for her example of hope and yearning to be close to the Lord that culminated this past Sunday. Emma's understanding of her health continually changing and God's unchanging love and comfort gave her and all of us a measure of peace. As a patient of mine, it was refreshing to witness her positive nature and desire to take on whatever lay ahead. May God's presence be near and real to the family in the days and weeks ahead.  God bless the family and hold them close.  Tim & Barb

I have such happy memories of Emily when we were young.  Emily and I were friends in elementary school.  I have happy memories of the fun we had together.  We recently reconnected on facebook when we started leasing a pony.  She was so in love with horses that I had to share with her that "my" Grace was loving them too.  Fast forward 2 years.....we chatted via Facebook a few months ago.  Emily was such a fantastic person.  She will clearly be missed.  ......we sure had fun;)

Prayers to the family,

Penni