Emily Genge Kolb

Emily Genge Kolb, aged 97, passed peacefully on March 17, 2016 with her loving daughter by her side in Overland Park, Kansas. She was born February 10, 1919 in Green Lake, Wisconsin to Thomas and Ada Genge, long-time members of the Green Lake/Ripon community. She will be missed and remembered with so much love by all of us.

Billie (as she was affectionately known) was a gentle soul, growing up in the family home with her brother Cole Deane Genge on the shores of the lake; attending Ripon College, and meeting and marrying her sweetheart, Roland L. Kolb, a decorated officer in “America’s Greatest Generation,” who fought in World War II. During their marriage they lived in many places around the world including Germany, Japan, Turkey, Hilton Head Island, and subsequently settling in Punta Gorda, FL for many years. Billie and Rollie spent much of their time in retirement travelling to see friends around the world and relishing their adventures together.

Her varied interests included art (sculpting, crafts and painting), gardening, sewing (needlepoint, knitting, and magnificent crewel work), piano (boogie woogie!), extensive reading and later – worldwide travel with her daughter and her 3 granddaughters. She was particularly devoted to family and friends – treasuring them all.

Billie eventually moved to Kansas to live with her daughter and son-in-law and be nearer to family.

Billie is survived by her daughter Cheryl and husband Dr. Lewis Roht; three granddaughters Jeannette Clark, Chanin Wright (Jack) and Nancy Vasto; 3 great-grandchildren Sydney and Holly Wright and Joseph Vasto; niece Diane Genge Armstrong and nephew Richard D. Genge. She is preceded in death by her brother Cole Deane Genge.

Private family services will be held at Ocala National Cemetery in Ocala, FL.