WASHINGTON - Paula Emons-Fuessle ,69, passed away on Monday, March 22, 2021 with hospice care in her home surrounded by loving family.
She was born on Dec. 2, 1951 in Alton, Illinois, to Joe and Shirley Emons.
Her surviving family include mother, Shirley Emons; sister, Gayle (Steve) Joehl; brother, Matthew Emons; also three sons, Torben (Stacy), Nils (Emily), and Peter; along with two granddaughters, Helene and Maeve.
Father Joe Emons precedes her in death.
She attended Monmouth College for two years where she met her future husband, Robert Fuessle.
She finished her Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in library science at the University of Illinois in Urbana.
She received a Rotary Scholarship to study in Denmark for one year after which Paula and Robert were married on May 28, 1975 in Aarhus, Denmark.
Paula had a love for knitting and many other crafts also including many aspects of nature such as butterflies, birds, and plants.
Her love for knitting started with her grandmother Helen Emons. It developed and matured during her study in Denmark during the early 1970's.
Shortly after her return to the USA, she attended workshops and became friends with Elizabeth Zimmermann, a knitting pioneer who had a show on PBS.
She shared her knitting passion by educating and inspiring others.
She organized church groups to knit hats for preemies and prayer shawls.
She developed a podcast called Knitting Pipeline with over 300 episodes and over a million downloads enjoyed by thousands across the world, showcasing her passion for knitting, nature and everyday life.
She also published YouTube tutorials on knitting techniques and quilting, which became another craft passion in her later years.
She published her own designs for shawls through Quince & Co., a sponsor of her podcasts.
She held retreats for knitters who traveled from all over the USA as well as an occasional international visitors at Atlanta, Georgia; Kennebunk Maine, and Washington, Illinois, her hometown.
She organized travels to Iceland and Scotland for knitters. She loved her role as a facilitator for friendships among her knitting followers.
Paula was a PEO and a member of Crossroads United Methodist Church.
She was also a member and treasurer of the Celtic Pipes and Drums.
She played with her band in competitions with other bands throughout Midwest, at a world competition in Scotland, and the Netherlands National Military Tattoo.
She also played solo performances locally.
After reading a newspaper article noting ovarian cancer as one among a few cancers that were underfunded for research, Paula appealed to her podcast followers and inspired them to contribute to Dr. Katherine Fuh, an ovarian cancer researcher at Washington University.
Paula met with Dr. Fuh as she is a colleague of Paula's oncologist, Dr. Nora MacZura.
If you wish to make a contribution in memory of Paula, please make your check payable to: OB/GYN Division of Gynecologic Oncology.
In the memo please write: Ovarian Cancer Research Katherine Fuh Lab. Please mail to Paula's sister, who will batch mail donations to Washington University; this process alleviates bookkeeping for Washington University.
Mail to: Gayle Joehl, 307 Nicolet Drive, Godfrey, IL 62035.
We are sorry that the process to donate is a little lengthy but we are told that this is the way to be sure the money raised will go to Dr. Fuh's lab as Paula requested.
Donating online was not a good option because it is even more involved than the mail process and a great chance the money would not be funneled into Dr. Fuh's research lab.
Services will be private and burial will be in Glendale Cemetery in Washington.
Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.
Paula's memorial website is available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com where condolences may also be sent to her family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Susie Rivera
April 27, 2021
Paula was my friend and mentor when I played the bagpipes in the Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums bagpipe band. She took me under her wing and we spent so much time together at all our rehearsals and events. I remember many mornings when we would meet at Glenn Sunderland's house and have our own extra practice session, but really spent a lot of time talking. She was a wonderful, kind person and I was sorry to hear of her passing. I am glad she is at peace now. My condolences go out to Bob, her sons, as well as the entire family.
Lori Hoffman
April 14, 2021
I just learned today about Paula's passing and am heart-broken. We were good friends when our family lived in Washington (1984-86). She taught me to knit left-handed to create color patterns; and I have been an avid knitter ever since. We attended knitting camp together in Wisconsin. She also introduced the concept of prayer shawls to me (around 20 years ago) which I have been knitting ever since. In fact, I started a prayer shawl group at our church here in Bloomington, where we have been prayerfully creating and giving over 100 shawls per year. I think of Paula every time I knit. Blessings to all of her family. She was a gifted and lovely person.
Pam(Flamm)Maxeiner
March 29, 2021
So sorry to hear of the passing of Paula. I was friends with Paula and Gayle in high school. Paula and I graduated the same year. We were both members of the Godfrey Methodist Church MYF youth group. We had so much fun in the group. I still remember our week long camping retreats to Pere Marquette State Park during the summers. Paula was a very sweet and talented person. Sincere condolences to her family. She will be missed.
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