Emma Rosalie Mead, age 89 of Troutdale, Oregon, passed away on February 8, 2019 at the home of her daughter, Patricia A. Edner. Emma R. Bey was born in Alpena, Michigan on March 25, 1929. Her parents, Edward Charles and Bertha (Bartz) Bey, owned a dairy farm in Sanborn Township where she was raised, the youngest of six children. She was no stranger to hard work and once had a beloved, pet pig named Little Orphan Annie.
When Emma was 17 and working in a lodge, she met a young man named Vern, just back from the war in Germany. His mom, Mary, was the chief cook. Many late afternoons were spent out on the lake canoeing with Vern, who became the love of her life. On September 28, 1946, Emma R. Bey was married to Vern Ernest Mead Jr. at the Old German Lutheran Church in Sanborn Township, Alpena, Michigan. They had two daughters.
Eventually, the family moved to Redondo Beach, California where Vern began working for the General Telephone Company. The family lived at Ernst Trailer Park where Emma was acting as manager. Their first house was located in Torrance, California where Emma worked in salad preparation at West High School. Emma was very involved with the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod on Knob Hill Ave. in Redondo Beach, California. She taught Sunday School, worked on committees and helped produce numerous plays for church celebrations.
In 1964, Vern took a job at a telephone company in Crescent City, California. The family eventually located on 86 acres just south of Orick and across from Stone Lagoon. Emma and Vern envisioned Idlewood Campground and it became the dream they spent years developing and running.
After Vern retired, they finally settled in North Bonneville, Washington. They had many good years there growing fruit trees, grapes and a multitude of flowers. But finally, Vern's failing health necessitated his placement in a nursing home.
They sold their home and Emma made her final move to Troutdale, Oregon to live with their daughter Pat Edner. Emma and Pat spent years lovingly caring for and supporting Vern through their visitation to his nursing home until his death in 2008. Vern and Emma were married for 61 years.
Pat and Emma had many happy years together in Troutdale. Then, as Emma's health failed, she decided to remain in the home for her final days. She was surrounded by loving and devoted caregivers, as well as family members. Emma had a strong belief in Jesus Christ her Lord and has taken leave to be with Him. So, farewell, Dear One, until we all meet again!
Emma will be sadly missed by her daughter, Patricia A. Edner of Troutdale, Oregon; daughter Sandra S. (Michael) Cecka of Leavenworth, Washington; grand children, Sean (Carrie) Edner of Herndon, Virginia and Allison (Ted) Holden of Grass Valley, California, David Cecka of Oak Harbor, Washington, and Kenneth (Timi) Cecka of Bainbridge Island, Washington; great grandchildren, Sarah Holden, Colin and Brian Edner, Cameron and Gracie Cecka, and Aubrey and Oliver Cecka; and her brother Louis (Laura) Bey of Ossineke, Michigan.
She was preceded in death by her parents Edward C. and Bertha Bey, sisters Lillian (Albert) Domke, Ruth (Paul) Dahlke, Helen (Charles) Kihn and brother Arthur (Hazel) Bey.
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