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Emily Anne STRANGE

1946 - 2016

BORN

1946

DIED

2016

About

Alonzo A. Crim Open Campus High School Georgia Southern University

Emily STRANGE Obituary

STRANGE, Emily Anne Emily Anne Strange of Johnson Creek, WI passed away on July 12, 2016 at her home. She was in her 70th year. Born July 23, 1946 in Atlanta, Georgia, Emily graduated from Murphy High School in 1964. She attended Young Harris Junior College and graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1968. After college she served with the American Red Cross as a Donut Dollie with the 9th Infantry Division and Mobile Riverine Force in Vietnam. She later created a website (emilydd.com), where she shared her writings and helped veterans reconnect with one another and tell their stories. An active member of the Vietnam Vet community, she was proud to be considered "one of their own". She was active as a speaker at Vietnam Vet Reunions and her words brought both laughter and tears. Emily was featured in a movie called, "A Touch of Home" which tells about the lives of the women who served in Vietnam as Donut Dollies and nurses. She leaves behind her sister, Peggy Michel and her husband, Dennis, of Oak Park, Illinois and two nephews: Hans Michel of Chicago and Christopher M Knight, his wife Tara and their children Avery, Rylan, and Davis of Woodland Hills, California. A private family service will be held at a later date. Pederson-Nowatka Funeral Homes is caring for the family. To place an online condolence, please visit www.pn-fh.com.

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Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jul. 16, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Emily STRANGE

15 Entries

Rene Johnson

July 10, 2025

A Donut Sister, a dear friend, Emily is still thought of almost daily and forever will be missed. Emily made me laugh more than anyone else I've known, and I can hear her laughing even now at my silly, sentimental, less-than-poetic writings. Enjoy the Heavenly Godiva dark chocolate!!

Jim Breth

May 22, 2019

I remember her from the Mekong Delta, 9th ID. Vivacious and inspiring, A beautiful person. RIP.

kerry pardue

June 6, 2018

Emily I was at the WALL at the Women's Memorial on Memorial Day giving another speech. I half expected you to show up and found myself looking for you. I talked about missing you and how much people loved and respected you. I shared this about you in my talk. I miss you and wish we could just sit and talk like we used to.

Emily's Remembrance At The Wall

Emily, dear friend and confidant
We shared a friendship over the years
At times, we see each other at different events
And you always wanted your hug
We shared talks at the Women's Memorial
And I was touched by your writings so poignant
And feel the words ripping through tough hearts
That had stop feeling because of the wounds of war
You were always my greatest cheerleader and gave
Me words of encouragement as I wrote to find a path
Back home.
I will never forget the first time you found your guys from
Binh Phouc, you were so happy for the re- connection
I am so glad that we were great friends and miss you so much
I am thankful I came to see you last April and to hear you laugh
Thank you for being our Donut Dolly in Vietnam in 1968-69
Helping your guys feel a touch from back home
I am so glad your life touched mine, I am a better person
Because of you, thanks for being my Sister Veteran.
I love you so much and can't wait to see you in Heaven one day.

©Copyright Veterans Day 2016 by Kerry Doc Pardue

June 6, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB6Tj6riqAc&list=RDnB6Tj6riqAc&t=71

Emily Strange and Doc Pardue

June 5, 2018

kerry pardue

June 5, 2018

kerry pardue

June 5, 2018

Peggy Michel

June 3, 2018

I miss you every day. I still need you. But as you said to Kenny, "life is for the living, death is for the dead, and so......we must now go our separate ways." But I don't want you to be gone. I miss you so much, dear sister. I love you, Annie Fannie.

kerry pardue

July 31, 2016

Emily was my donut dolly in Vietnam, we have been friends for the past 35 years...I wrote this about her

Emily

In the midst of the 60's
She found herself confused
She was challenged to come see and do her part

So instead of becoming a part of the problem
She became part of the solution instead
She came to make a difference

The odd thing about the Vietnam war
It makes no difference if you are male or female
Soldier or civilian the war impacts your soul

She bore the risks of combat
Same as you and me
She served us all with fidelity

Some will say she didn't serve
I will tell them that they are wrong
She is as much a Veteran -as us all

Emily raised in Atlanta
With her charm and her grace
Became a Donut Dollie in a far away place

She became a beacon of light...she brought us hope
With her smile and round-eyes
She took us to another time and place--away from the war

She didn't carry a weapon
She came with fun and games--she did her part
More importantly she became a part of the soldiers heart

As I look back on memories of the past
I recall with a certain fondness
Her beauty with a southern voice

Thanks for doing your part
You are not forgot
You became part of our heart

The gal from Georgia-our Donut Dolly
A soldier's friend indeed
WELCOME HOME EMILY-my sister...WELCOME HOME indeed
Love from one of your guys, Doc Pardue

Tom Corbett

July 17, 2016

I knew Emily all the way back in the 1950's when we played in the East Atlanta Elementary Band, and later when we both attended Murphy High School in Atlanta. There are so many good memories of Emily and her sister Peggy and her parents, and all the things we did together over so many years. Her good work is truly inspirational, and she will surely be missed.

Mary Laraine "Larry" Young Hines

July 17, 2016

The Donut Dolly Sisterhood has lost its Poet Laureate with Emily's death. Although we never served together, our tours in Vietnam oberlapped, and Emily and I shared many stateside reunions over the past 30 years. We all are grateful for her creative and sensitive words which so aptly captured the experiences we had individually and collectively while we served our country in this unique way. Emily's spirit lives on in her reflections and in the hearts of all who knew her. She will never be forgotten. Larry Young Hines, ARC-SRAO/Vietnam, 1968-69

Penni Evans

July 17, 2016

My eyes shed tears while my heart is full of love and memories. Emily was a friend, a sister Donut Dollie, a poet, a songwriter and singer. And so much more. Fly On, my friend.

July 17, 2016

Rest in peace,Emily. I was stationed at the same base as Emily. She did so much to bring some joy to a terrible place. Emily was a friend and champion of Vietnam veterans her whole life. Thank you Emily for all you did.

Rene' Johnson

July 17, 2016

I will miss laughing with my friend.

July 16, 2016

I knew Emily in High School and enjoyed her friendship there. As a Vietnam Veteran, I was delighted when, during a documentary on women in Vietnam, All of a sudden There was Emily as a Donut Dolly. To those of you who weren't there, you can't imagine how courageous that was. She and her fellow Donut Dolly's rode around on the ground and in the air protected by their cute dresses, while those transporting them wore helmets and flack jackets and carried M-16's. They provided a bright spot in the days of those whom they visited. They are all hero's in my book. I'm so glad I got to chat with her for a while by phone not long ago. We had a great time swapping stories. She had a great sense of humor. Thanks for making that happen Peggy. I'm grateful to you for that. Rest in peace hero! Thank you for your service during and after the war. John Allen Herron First Sergeant US Army (Retired)

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