born March 20, 1914. She was born of Slovak-American parents, Eva and Michael Horvath, on a little farm on Elderwood Road in Phillips. Her parents had settled in America in 1908, only six years before Amelia was born, the third oldest of six children. Emma spoke no English before entering school. But after listening to her older sister and brother, she realized the importance and made herself learn English before entering the schoolhouse door at age 6. In 1933 Emma graduated as valedictorian from Price County Normal School, taking a job as a caseworker with the Price County Welfare Department, where she met Claude. After they were married, they moved to Durand, where Claude accepted a position as the Pepin County welfare director, and served in that capacity for 19 years. Emma took a position as clerk for the Pepin County draft board as World War II got under way. As Emma and Claude eventually had eight children together, Emma decided to become a full-time mother and to educate all of them through college: William M. (Susan) Langlois, West Point graduate, nuclear engineer, Wilmington, N.C.; Mary A. Langlois Schlosser (Gene), high school/college English instructor, Menomonie; Dr. Joseph C. Langlois, Auburn, Wash., Daniel T. Langlois, UW-Eau Claire assistant recreation director, Durand; Margaret R. (William) Langlois Miller, author-teacher-homemaker, Knapp; John R. (Teresa) Langlois, social services coordinator, Community Health Partnerships, Altoona; Nancy E. (Bruce) Langlois Peloquin, clinical social worker, Midelfort Clinic, Chippewa Falls; Theodore J. Langlois, Osseo Golf Course grounds maintenance superintendent, Durand. Emma was proud of her 15 grandchildren who survive her, Thomas Langlois, Amanda Langlois, Rebecca (Mendel) Langlois Ireland, Aaron (Elena) Langlois, Mark (Sanna) Schlosser, Matthew Schlosser, Sara Schlosser, Rachel Miller, Grace Miller, Emma Miller, Simone Peloquin, Jordan Langlois, Steven Langlois; Emma's two stepgrandchildren, Traci Peloquin and Dean Peloquin; her new great-granddaughter, Ava Lauren Langlois; a special nephew, Kenneth (Marilyn) Schleife of Mexico; and special nieces, Marcia (Gene) Lachmund Britton of Mesa, Ariz., and Kathy Langlois Brown of Black River Falls.

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Claude's unexpected death in 1962 forced Emma to find employment, which she did by agreeing to run on the Democratic ticket for register of deeds of Pepin County. An account of this event, written by Margaret Langlois Miller, first appeared in Catholic Digest in 1984, and then was re-printed in The Courier Wedge on March 15, 2007. Emma took great pride in serving the citizens of Pepin County as register of deeds for 24 years before retiring in 1986. She considered all of the people she served in that capacity as good friends, proud that those as far away as Stockholm and Meridean voted for her without even meeting her. She proudly gave tours of her courthouse office to anyone who asked, pointing out the pictorial signatures of the Native Americans who signed those first Pepin County documents. A favorite task of hers in the '60s was issuing ID cards to youngsters when they turned 18 because she got to meet almost all of the young people of Pepin County.

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Throughout her life Emma especially enjoyed auctions and thrift sales, delighting in finding those unexpected "treasures." In later years she was especially enthusiastic about restoring her old family farm in Phillips, which had since fallen into disrepair. A special delight was saving the old garage designed for her parents' Model T Ford, the first one purchased in their neighborhood.

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Her children will remember Emma's work ethic, her emphasis on getting a good education ("Pour your purse into your head and no one can take it from you." - Benjamin Franklin, was a favorite), her continued interest in the political scene, her enduring faith in God, her excellent singing voice and her profound love for children. At 93, Emma still enjoyed doing her own taxes. At 94 she was still answering the phone and taking reservations for St. Hubert's Outfitters Club, located on the Chippewa River at Round Hill, just south of Durand.

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Emma became a dear friend to each of her children throughout the years. She was a great lady and she will be greatly missed.