Obituary of Emma Jane Lake

Of Vassar, Michigan at age 89, died June 1, 2010, at Frankenmuth Lutheran Home. The funeral service will take place June 5, 2010 at the First Baptist Church of Vassar. Reverend David Somers will officiate with burial to follow in Riverside Cemetery. Those desiring, may direct memorial contributions to the Neighborhood Missionary Society. Emma Jane Nietta Lake was born, November 11, 1920 in the house where she grew up, on Goodrich St. in Vassar, Michigan. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis and Florence (Bates) Andrews. Emma was preceded in death by one sister Mrs. Wilma Hiscock of Wheaton, Illinois. She is survived by her sister Mrs. Barbara McLean of Vassar. She married Mr. Raymond Lake of Trenton, Michigan on November 30, 1943 and they resided in Vassar where they raised their four children. Survivors include daughter, Melody Rae Jones and husband Donald of Saratoga, California, son, Timothy Raymond Lake of Redding, California, son, Mitchell Lake of Hancock, Michigan, and daughter, Crystal Maureen Dunham and husband Jay of Grand Blanc, Michigan. Her husband Raymond died on June 8, 1972. Emma graduated from Vassar High School in 1938, then attended Bay City Business College and graduated in 1940. In 1986, she received another degree from Cornell University. She had a career in Secretarial and Bookkeeping, working in Bay City, Michigan for Plywood Co. in 1939, Gulf Refinery in 1941, Defoe Shipbuilding in 1942. In 1951, she worked for the Baptist Bulletin under Reverend Kenneth Bilby, in Vassar, Michigan. She worked for the Michigan State Highway Department in 1966, working in Saginaw and Flint, Michigan. Emma retired in 1989 from Super Foods Services of Bridgeport, MI after working there for 24 years. Emma was a member of the First Baptist Church of Vassar her entire life, and the pianist for 50 years. She was also a lifetime member of the WCTU and the Neighborhood Missionary Society. Emma loved the Lord and included Him in all she did. She also enjoyed many hobbies such as golfing, playing Scrabble and AaA"Tile RummyAaA with friends, playing the piano and singing. Emma had many friends and cherished their friendships. She would make a pot of homemade soup and divide it up five ways and deliver it to her friends. She said it was to benefit her, as she was able to go and visit. Her favorite things to do were; go for a ride and go visiting. In EmmaAaas younger years, she enjoyed china painting, and after she retired she enjoyed tole painting on furniture and wood. She loved totem poles, painting them as well. She is survived by nine grandchildren, Kenneth Jones and Raeanne (Jones) Newquist of California, Jennifer Lake of Michigan and Amanda and Jacob Lake of California, Pamela (Lake) Oakes and Holly Lake of Houghton, Michigan, and Christina (Dunham) Sova of Wales, Michigan and Derek Raymond Dunham of Grand Blanc, Michigan. She is survived by ten great-grandchildren, Emma, Georgia, and Mack, Haley, Devon, Carter, Aurora, Melodie, Waylon and Myla. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be June 4, Friday evening, from 4:00 until 8:00, at the Martin Funeral Home Vassar, and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Funeral service will be at 11:00 June 5, Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Vassar.