SECKAR, Emma Marie (Loten) 1926-2019

SECKAR, LOTEN, GISMARVIK

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 3/25/2024 at 10:15:40

Emma Seckar

March 7, 1926 - January 10, 2019

Emma Seckar, 92, of Elma, Iowa, and formerly Charles City and Osage, passed from her earthly home to the joy of the heavenly realm on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at Colonial Manor in Elma.

According to her wishes, there will be a memorial service at a later date.

Emma Marie Seckar was born March 7, 1926 in Bokn, Norway the daughter of Erick and Dina (Gismarvik) Loten. She was baptized at the Bokn Church on May 2, 1926. The family came to America in 1927 living in several Iowa communities including New Sharon, Stacyville, Little Cedar, New Haven and McIntire before settling on an acreage near Osage, Iowa.

Emma entered grade school in Stacyville, was confirmed at Osage Lutheran Church in 1941, and graduated from Osage High School in 1943 at the age of 17. During her high school years she worked at various jobs including caregiving, pumping gas, and doing housework for room and board. In June of 1944, with permission from her father, she moved to Seattle, Washington and became a “Rosie the Riveter” at Boeing Aircraft.

In 1945 Emma moved to Monroe, Louisiana where she married John Seckar of Mitchell, Iowa on April 21. They made their home in Mitchell and later in Osage and Charles City. To this union four children were born: Paul, David, Pat, and Marilyn. Emma was a working mother spending happy hours cooking with her best friend Rosie at the Sugar Creek Drive-In directly across the road from her parents. She attended night classes and became a valued legal secretary at Zastrow, Noah and Smith Law Offices.

Emma was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Mitchell and Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charles City. Some of her favorite memories would center around family gatherings, spoiling grandchildren, The U and I Club in Mitchell, family reunions in Wyoming, playing cards, traveling, her many winters in Texas, and serving wonderful holiday meals. If you visited her home, you did not leave without eating something. She was the “Lefse Queen” in the family and well-deserving of the honor.

Emma spent the last two years in the loving care of the staff of Afton Oakes and Colonial Manor. Her family greatly appreciates all of the love shown to Emma over the last few years.

Living family members include her children: Paula (Terry) Wittmer of Banner, Wyoming, David (Jenny) Seckar of Charles City, Pat of Decorah, and Marilyn (Ted) Horsley of Sheridan, Wyoming; her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews who were so kind and attentive to her.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; two brothers; eight sisters; and two granddaughters.

SOURCE: Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home