Emma VanKeulen

Emma Marie (Zwach) VanKeulen was born on November 26, 1908, in rural Milroy to Joseph and Barbara (Hammerschmidt) Zwach. She grew up in rural Milroy and graduated from Milroy High School in 1927. Emma attended teachers training and taught at District 37 School in Lyon County and District 40 School in Redwood County. On February 15, 1933, she was united in marriage to Hubert H. VanKeulen at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Milroy. The couple farmed and raised their family in rural Ghent. Emma loved playing cards, reading, crocheting and was an avid Twins fan. She was an active volunteer at the Nursing Home, School, Church, Hospital and other community functions for many years. One year she was the runner-up Lyon County Volunteer of the Year and continued reading to residents at the nursing home until she was 98 years old. For the past 18 years, Emma was a resident at Hill Street Place in Marshall. She died on Monday, February 02, 2009, at the Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in Marshall. Emma is survived by her children Donna (and Don) Maeyaert, Marlene (and Jules) Noyes and Jerry (and Caroline) VanKeulen, all of Marshall, daughter-in-law Veronica VanKeulen of Minneota, 20 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, siblings Harry (Louise) Zwach of Wabasso and Carol (Vic) Kesteloot of Marshall, sisters-in-law Doris, Leah and Bernice Zwach. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two infant sons, 13 year old daughter Bernetta, son Allan in 1987, sisters Rose Fischer, Elsie Schloegel, and brothers Joe, John, Paul, Roman, Henry, and Robert Zwach.