She was born September 7, 1918 in Landeck , Ohio to Henry and Adeline (Bonifas) Pothast.
She is survived by a sister, Mildred (Paul) Rayman of Kalida.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Esther (Charles) Niedecken, Evelyn (Donald) Deitrick, and Ellen (Joseph ) Mittelkamp; and four brothers, Leo, Arnold, Firmon, and Luke Pothast.
She Graduated from Edgecliff College in Cincinnati and St. Vincent School of Nursing in Toledo. She served as an elementary teacher in New Washington, Ft. Jennings, Delphos, Bucyrus, Peru, Miller City, Bryan, and Bismark. She was both an elementary teacher and principal in Millersville, and a high school teacher at former St. Francis Convent High School in Tiffin. Sister Emma moved into Healthcare ministry. She served as a nurse at the motherhouse infirmary in Tiffin, and as an administrator and a nurse at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Toledo, St. Francis Home in Tiffin, and the former St. Anthony’s Orphanage in Toledo. Her ministry then took her to Linton, North Dakota where she served as the secretary/treasurer at Linton Hospital, and worked in administration and nursing. Change was nothing new to Sister Emma. Later in life she served as a seamstress at the motherhouse, and as the sacristan at St. Francis Convent and at St. Pius X Parish in Sycamore. Her ministry of service led her to continue her nursing skills by volunteering with Seneca County Hospice program and the local Red Cross Bloodmobile. Sister Emma served the community as a Minister of Prayer from 2007 until the time of her death. Sister Emma enjoyed listening to classical music and opera, and doing creative activities. In her own words she said, “God has gifted me with many things. I have just tried to give my best at whatever I am doing.”
Visitation for family and friends will be 2:30-7:00 p.m. Friday, February 8, 2013 at the St Francis Home Chapel and 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, February 9, 2013 at the St. Francis Covent Chapel.
The Funeral Mass will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, February 9, 2013 at St. Francis Convent Chapel.
Burial will follow in St. Francis Convent Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Home or St. Francis Convent, in care of the Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory, 214 S. Monroe St., Tiffin, OH 44883. (419) 447-3113.