Mary Jane Emch

Mary Jane Emch, 102, passed away Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Holiday Resort. She was born November 10, 1916 in Burlington, Kansas the daughter of George and Bessie Cole Harrington.  Mary Jane attended Madison High and graduated as the valedictorian of the Class of 1935. She was also honored as a member of  the National Honors Society. After high school, Mary Jane worked at a local grocery, the Madison News and the First National Bank. While working at the bank she met the love of her life, Martin Winkler Emch. They were joined in marriage on October 21, 1945 in Emporia, Kansas. The young couple would  make their home together on a farm south of Lamont. As a city girl, Mary Jane had to learn the many talents of being a farm wife and mother. She excelled at this and became quite skilled at sewing, gardening and canning. For many years to come she would make  clothes for herself and family.  She was a member of the Home Demonstration Unit and taught Sunday School for many years. After her children left home she took on more responsibilities helping Martin on the farm. She and Martin would continue to operate the farm until moving into Emporia in 1994. They enjoyed over fifty years  of marriage before Martin’s death on February 1, 1996. Mary Jane  continued her nurturing ways, looking in on neighbors during her walks near her home. She will live on in the hearts of her daughter, Wanda Miller and her husband Chuck of Wamego; a son, George Emch and his wife Janet of Emporia; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Ralph Harrington. Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, December 29, 2018 at the VanArsdale Funeral Home in Madison. Burial will follow services at #8 Cemetery. The family invites you to come visit  with them from 10:00 A.M., until service time on Saturday  at the funeral home. They request that memorial contributions be made to the Madison Senior Center and sent in care of the funeral home at box #488 Madison, Kansas 66860. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.