Obit: Nash, Emma Marie (1914 – 2009)

Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Nash, Berg, Grittner, Orlich, Shamo, Barbieri, Crocker, Jury

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) January 6, 2010

Nash, Emma Marie (3 April 1914 – 31 December 2009)

Emma Orlich-Nash, 95, of Black River Falls passed away Dec. 31, 2009, at Family Heritage Care Center, Black River Falls while under the care of Black River Hospice.

Emma Marie Grittner was born April 3, 1914, in Westboro to Joseph and Anna (Berg) Grittner.  She was raised at Westboro and, as a young woman, moved to Chicago, where she was employed as an upstairs maid and as a salad and sandwich girl by Chicago hotels.

She married Morril Orlich in 1936 in Westboro. The couple first lived in Chicago and Wisconsin Rapids before settling in Black River Falls in 1945.  Morril Orlich died in 1969.  At the time of his death, Morril Orlich was the Black River Falls City Clerk.

Emma later married David Nash in 1971 in Black River Falls.  David Nash died in 1976.

Emma was employed as a salesclerk at Anthony’s Department Store, Taylor and Jones Department Store, Ravnum’s Ben Franklin Store and Paramount Studios, all of Black River Falls. 

She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Black River Falls and the Thompson-Red Cloud VFW Post 1959 Auxiliary.  She enjoyed gardening, baking and sewing.

Surviving are two daughters, Carol J. (M. John) Shamo of St. Clair Shores, MI, and Bonnie Orlich of Merrillan; a granddaughter, Susan (Peter Crocker) Barbieri of St. Paul, MN; a grandson, Paul Barbieri of New Baltimore, MI; a great-granddaughter, Lily-“Anna Crocker; and numerous other relatives.

In addition to both husbands, Emma was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, 1 p.m. at Buswell Funeral Home Black River Falls.  Reverend Lon Jury officiated.  Burial followed in Riverside Cemetery, Black River Falls.

Family and friends were invited for visitation Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.  A VFW auxiliary service was held at 12:45 p.m. at Buswell Funeral Home.

Buswell Funeral Home of Black River Falls assisted the family with arrangements.

Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com.