Emma Beirwagen

1920 - 2016

Emma P. Beirwagen

Fort Benton —On March 1, 2016 Mom's prayers were answered at last and she moved into her mansion in Heaven. She missed her 96th birthday by 18 days. She's now rejoicing with Jesus and her husband Arthur.

Emma Paulina Radke was born on March 19, 1920 in Expansion, N.D. to Carl and Louisa (Reinhardt) Radke. She was the seventh of eight children, all of whom proceeded her in death. She was a real survivor. At birth she weighed 4 pounds, and in the days before incubators, she was placed in a shoebox on the oven door. Unable to even take milk, she was fed chalk water. Her father died when she was just two. At the age of 8 or 9, she suffered spinal meningitis and was paralyzed for about a year. Undaunted, she went on to play basketball in high school as a 4'9" guard!

She and Arthur Oskar Beirwagen of Loma, MT were married on June 15, 1941. During WWII Mom followed Dad to his army posts. It was at one of those posts that they both accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. In 1949 they adopted a baby girl whom they named Judy LuMarge. In 1946 they purchased a farm near Loma, MT and lived and worked there until they retired. When the Great Falls Rescue Mission got started, she and Dad became intensely involved. Dad served every spot on the board for over 21 years. Dad preached there and both would sing, sometimes gospel songs she had composed herself, while Mom played the piano. They had designed and built a new home from 1965-67 and when they moved to Fort Benton in 1988, they moved the house into town, too! Dad passed away after 52 great years together.

Besides being a wife and a mother Emma helped with the farm work. She loved to cook and bake - always trying a new recipe. Her sewing skills were phenomenal. She could take pattern parts from several different patterns and create a beautiful outfit. She made Arthur's suits, shirts, and ties; even a beautiful wedding dress for a friend. She crocheted until arthritis in her fingers no longer allowed it. She enjoyed teaching Bible Club, Sunday School, and had Bible studies in her home in Fort Benton. She put her cooking skills to use at Camp Lewtana 1958-1960. She also served as Deaconess at the Community Bible Church in Ft. Benton. She worked with children at AWANA at the Community Bible Church into her 90s. She continued playing with and delighting in her great grand children until the very end.

Emma is survived by her daughter, Judy Beloate, grandson Lael Andara, (Sabrina) and great-grands Addison and Aidan; grandaughter Erinn Addy (Joe) and the great-grands Damaris, Gideon, Rachel, Autumn, and Shawnathan who shared his birthday with Emma. She's also survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Louis and June Beirwagen and 12 nieces and 8 nephews. Preceeding her in death: sisters Alma Goetg, Erna Adolf, Hulda Machau, Frieda Hildebrandt, Ida Beirwagen, and brother William Radke.

We love you and miss you.

Memorials to Great Falls Rescue Mission (Cameron Building fund) or Community Bible Church in Fort Benton, MT.

Condolences can be made to misermortuaries.com