December 22, 1926 - September 26, 2012
Elaine E. Emmel Obituary
(Age 85)
Elaine was born December 22, 1926 in Wenatchee to Grover & Charlotte James and passed away
September 26, 2012 (Yom Kippur - The Day of Atonement) at Guardian Angel in Liberty Lake.
Elaine lived in Marlin, WA from birth till age four, when the family moved to Chewelah, then after
two years the family moved to Orient, WA, buying a farm on Hungry Hill. She attended school in Orient
and liked to play basketballand softball. Somewhere along the line she learned "how to cut a rug"
(dance) and was an excellent JitterBugger! She moved to Spokane at age 17 and worked at the
Garden Patch Grocery on Garland. Then later she worked at a Grocery Store downtown on Main.
She also worked at a Dental lab until meeting the love of her life, Wayne Emmel. They courted
and married November 10, 1946 and had two children, Vicki and Steve. Then after almost 63 years of
marriage they were separated only by Wayne's death on September 11, 2009 (9/11).
Elaine loved Jesus with all of her heart, was an avid reader and loved reading her Bible. She
taught TinyTots and was part of the prayer team at 1st Baptist Church downtown. Elaine was a
Prayer Warrior and walked with God, interceding for others with prayer and fasting. She was a
loving Mom, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and friend. Her nieces affectionately called her "Aunt
Lanie"! She was very hospitable and always opened her house for Gatherings of family and
friends. Elaine was an excellent cook and loved to bake, so around Christmas she would take
goody baskets to neighbor and friends, and was known for her cake decorating. She had a passion
for gardening and loved her roses. She enjoyed knitting and sewing. She loved the family gatherings
at their place on Deer Lake and loved being there through the summer.
She was preceded in death by her parents Grover and Charlotte James, husband Wayne Emmel,
daughter Vicki Giffin (8/3/2012), brother Dale James and sisters Zena James and Vida Blackstone.
She is survived by her brother Brainard James of Enterprise ,Oregon, sisters Zella Johnson of
Chattaroy and Leola Grace of Liberty Lake, her son Steve and Roxy (more like a daughter) Emmel
of Liberty Lake, three granddaughters Debbie (Sean) Dickie, Erin (David) Johnson, and Cara
(Travis) Harken, two grandsons Brock Pihl and Zachary (Adrienne) Emmel, 12 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Her greatest cry was that others would know "Jesus"!
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 5, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Fairmount Memorial Park's Sunset Chapel, 5200 W. Wellesley Ave., Spokane.
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