RAPID CITY--Emma Amelia Jones died quietly Monday, April 12, 2010, after a long struggle with the progression of Alzheimers disease. She was preceded in death by her husband Milo Jones in 1997, and their infant daughter Eileen Marie Jones in 1941. Also preceding her in death were her sisters Kathryn Westcott of Holibird, SD and Margaret Cole of California, brothers Clarence Engel of Gettysburg, and Bill Engel of Rapid City, and three grand children. Surviving Emma is her son Douglas (Tressa) Jones of Appleton, WI; daughter Phyllis (Bob) Heller of Rapid City; sisters Rose Machan of Gettysburg, SD; Mildred (Marvin ) Remley of Doland, SD; and brothers John (Marjorie) Engel of Ethen, SD; as well as 4 grand children, 8 great grand children and many nieces and nephews. Some of the nephews referred to her as Aunt Em & Em. She loved the affectionate play on her name. Emma was the oldest of 8 children, born November 8, 1916, in Bridgewater, SD, to Frederick and Elizabeth (Renner) Engel. Emmas mother was an immigrant from Russia. Frederick, even though born in New Jersey, also born to Russian immigrants. Like many other south Dakotans, did some farming and worked on the railroad. Emma and her brothers and sisters attended the country schools in eastern SD, Gettysburg and Gorman, SD. As German was spoken at home, the kids had very little English when they started school. But they learned fast and on into adulthood, none carried an accent. When they got together on special occasions, they spoke their form of low German as they called it, with a lot of laughing. The spouses of the brothers and sisters felt a bit left out. Milo used to say with a grin, how do I know they are not cussing me out?! Emma tells of helping a lady in Gettysburg who had a new baby. She would go over and wash dishes and do various other household chores. Keep in mind, no running water or hot water heaters at that time. Her pay at the end of the day was 10 cents. - - a good sum of money for a young girl who was not used to having any money. She did confess to stopping at the store on the way home to buy candy, which she and her siblings also were not used to having very often. Emma and Milo met, as they were farm helpers for families in Minn. They came back to SD and were married at Pierre in 1932. To this union was born three children. Douglas, Phyllis and Eileen. In 1942, Milo and Emma moved from eastern South Dakota to Rapid City where Milo worked at Warren Lamb Lumber. After a tour in the Navy, during World War 2, Milo worked as a heavy equipment operator in the construction industry, building roads and power plants across the upper Midwest. Emma spent her time lovingly help raise her grand children and working in the electronics assembly industry. In 1972 they lived close to Rapid Creek and lost all their worldly possessions, including their home in that tragic flood. After a year in a HUD trailer, they built a small settlement in Old Keystone on Rockerville Road. In her retirement, Emma volunteered at the Senior Citizens Center and the old Keystone School Museum, where she enjoyed talking to visitors from all over the country about the history of Keystone. She was also active in the Keystone Methodist church where she earned a modest degree of fame for her delicious gravy that was served up every year at the annual Buffalo Supper. At 80 years of age, Emma was baptized by her son-in-law and became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. One year later, she went to The Temple and was sealed for all time and eternity to her husband and children. The final years of her life were spent with the wonderful people at the Golden Living, Bella Vista Alzheimer care unit in Rapid City. She loved all the caregivers there. Each one that was ministering to her at the time was her favorite. Although, eventually she could not express her feelings, there were times when she could muster a smile or a wink to convey her gratitude for each kind word or loving touch. Visitation will be one-hour prier to services, which will be at 11:00 on Tues April 20th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2822 Canyon Lake Drive, Rapid City, with Bishop Terry Hinkson officiating. Luncheon will be served immediately after services at the church Interment and dedication will be at The Black Hills National Cemetery at 1:30. A memorial has been established to Hospice of the Hills.