Emily Helen Thoma Kitchka

March 4, 1925 ~ October 20, 2013

Emily Helen Kitchka our wonderful and beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away on October 20, 2013. She joined her loving husband, William, for their 62nd anniversary, in heaven surrounded by many family members and friends. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Marcia; son, Daniel; two grandsons, Andrew Paul and Matthew Scott Kitchka; and her daughter-in-law, Nancy (Rick) Hamlin. She also leaves her sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Robert Smith; brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Janet Thoma; and many nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.

Emily was married to Bill on October 20, 1951. They loved each day they had together and she missed him each day they were apart. What love and God put together was never put asunder. Thanks be to God!

Emily was preceded in death by William on February 13, 2013. She was the oldest child of William and Kathryn (Rose) Thoma. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Marva and Betty, brother, Willard, and their spouses; and sister-in-law and spouse, Irene and John Mangold.

Emily grew up and spent her entire life in Muskegon, Michigan. She left school after 8th grade to help support her family during difficult financial and health times of her parents. She worked various jobs before landing a cashier job at the A&P food store in Muskegon. It was there she met the love of her life, William, who was a meat cutter with his father, Paul. It took them longer to get that first date (with the encouragement of Bill's dad, Paul) than to get married just 6 months later. Emily continued to work after her children went to school. She began a long and happy banking career with Muskegon Bank and Trust, later First of America, currently PCN Bank. Before retirement, she was offered the position of branch manager. Pretty amazing for a woman who did not receive her high school diploma.

Emily was a busy working mom and did not have time or the inclination to belong to clubs or have many hobbies. Her leisure time was spent with her family, close friends, and church. Her work ethic was strong and we benefited from it in many ways. She enjoyed travel immensely, and she and Bill took Dan and I all over the United States. Together they visited Hawaii three times. As children, we spent summers camping and fishing. Although she would have much rather spent time in a nice motel, Mom braved a sleeping bag and a tent for the rest of us. (I think we may have been the only tent in the campground with a TV antenna hooked to the corner of our tent, and a shiny electric frying pan and coffee pot on our picnic table.)

Emily always enjoyed spending time with her brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. While we did not see or talk to each other daily, she looked forward to summer visits, holiday get-togethers, and family celebrations. She was a good cook and many hoped to see her "yellow bowl" filled with potato salad at get-togethers, or a fruit or lemon pie for dessert. She cherished our family Sunday dinner time with her children and grandsons. Christmas Eve was a dinner we could not miss and that evening became our family Christmas time for many years. Her rule was, "No church, no presents," so the Kitchka's had to be sick in bed before we would miss dinner, church, or presents on Christmas Eve. (I don't think that ever happened.)

Emily was never afraid to express her opinion or give advice to family, friends, or the church, for that matter. I would be rich if I had a dollar for each time she said to me, "I'm not going to tell you what to do, but ........................" I know we actually are richer for having her care so much about us, and I'm sure we will hear her in our ear each time we have that certain decision to make.

While Emily did not have many friends that she spent leisure time with, her friends meant the world to her. She and Bill loved spending time with Paul and Ada Filka, and Lavern and Irene Borreson. They had many good times camping, dining, traveling, and playing cards together. They both enjoyed the vacations in Florida with her sister, Ruth, and her husband, Bob; and her brother, Paul, and his wife, Janet.

My mom loved the Lord and looked forward to the day she would be in heaven with her husband, family, and friends. She was secure in His promise of everlasting life and stood as an example to her family. She admitted to not always understanding God's path for her, but believed that He did plan her path and she would be safe in it. She did not think patience was one of her virtues, and we would often agree with that,. But, faith in God and love for her family were her best virtues. She expressed her pride in her children and grandchildren often. She attended every event any of us participated in and cheered for each of us in our successes and prayed for us daily. She was our own personal prayer warrior. I never pulled out of her driveway without seeing her in the window, and knowing she was saying a prayer for my safety. She did that for each of us every day and we will miss her every day. Our consolation is in the knowledge that we will one day be with her and my dad again.