Emelia Hilda Frender Obituary (1926

Emelia H. Frender was born in Iron River, Michigan, the youngest of eight children born to Emanuel and Hilda (Walkeinen) Kataja who had emigrated from Waasan Laani, Finland aboard the ocean liner RMS Lusitania. During WWII Emelia traveled from Michigan to live with her sister Tyne Dahl. It was at this time she met John J. Frender who was home on leave while serving with the US Navy in the Pacific Theater. They were married June 27, 1946 in Manette, Washington. They were married for 58 years and had three children; John, Michael, and Donna. Emelia enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, travel, knitting, her children and grandchildren. She was a tireless supporter of local organizations that supported special needs children. Emelia worked for the Bremerton school lunch program retiring in 1984. She was preceded in death by her husband John, son Michael, grandson Timothy, her parents and her three sisters and four brothers. She will be forever missed by her son John, John's wife Frances, daughter Donna, sister-in-law Lucille Kataja, cousin Joyce Holm, grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and long time friends. Remembrances may be made to the School for the Blind in Vancouver, Washington.