Emma Estrada

A Mass of Christian Burial for Emma Estrada, 86, Lawrence, KS, will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 7, 2011, at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora, KS  Burial will follow at Holy Family Catholic Cemetery in Eudora.  She died on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at her home.

She was born January 3, 1925 in Antwerp, Belgium, the daughter of Josef and Maria Tink. She accomplished her education in Europe in Flemish, French, German and English.

Emma had a career of Advocacy and compassion for people of all ages.  She worked for many non-profit organizations in Lawrence, KS, as well as for the US Army while being with her husband in the military service for many years.

She attended the Hatha Yoga College (1970-1973) in Brussels, Belgium and taught Yoga in Belgium, Germany, Spain and Lawrence, KS. She attended the Transcendental Meditation Advanced Teacher’s Training Course at Research University Brunnen, Switzerland and became a teacher of TM in 1975.

Emma was a member of the Polar Bear Swim Club in Antwerp, a Water Safety Instructor (1949), Director of the HQ’s United States Army and 7th Army AYA Swimming Program, lay Eucharistic Minister, green belt of Judo, volunteered at DCCA and taught Yoga for 21 years at Lawrence Arts Center, Senior Center and Parks and Recreation.  She retired in 2006.  Emma received numerous awards for her life-long efforts of Advocacy.

She married Frank Estrada on October 6, 1945 in Antwerp, Belgium.  He survives of the home.  She was the first War Bride of Antwerp of World War II. She moved to Eudora, KS July 1946. She attended the University of Kansas 1947-1948 and became an American Citizen December 14, 1948.

Other survivors include two daughters, Emilia R. Drehman, Bettendorf, Iowa, Anita P. Carlson, Lawrence; one son, Mario F. Estrada, Menorca, Spain; a sister, Anna Boidin, Belgium, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents, four children, Maria and Josef infant daughter and son 1946, a son Daniel 1974 and son Jeff 2008.

Emma was a unique woman.  She loved her family had many friends in Lawrence and many countries in Europe.  She enjoyed opera, travel, dance music, the arts, and was an excellent seamstress. She was greatly loved and admired. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A parish rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. and visitation from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday evening at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

The family suggests memorials in her name to Hospice – Sunflower Healthcare and Holy Family Catholic Cemetery Maintenance Fund, Eudora and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.