Emma J. Nepper, 82, of Kenosha, died peacefully on Saturday, May 9, 2015, at St Joseph Home and Rehabilitation Center in Kenosha under the care of Hospice Alliance. Her family stood beside her.
Emma was born Aug. 6, 1932, in Racine, the daughter of Carl and Elizabeth (Sarto) Collova. She graduated from Park High School and at the mere suggestion would begin singing the Park High fight song.
As a lifelong teacher she enriched her students’ lives and always encouraged them to give their very best effort. She believed teachers made a difference in the world. She called teaching a noble profession and always believed that her efforts helped students grow into solid citizens and good people.
She taught English for 25 years at Lance Junior High School in Kenosha. While at Lance, Emma also worked as athletic director for four years, assistant coach for girls softball for three years, and acted as a co-director for many plays and variety shows.
In 1994 she received the Distinguished Service Award from Kenosha Unified School District in recognition of her excellence as an educator.
She held professional memberships in the National Education Association, Wisconsin Education Association, and Kenosha County Retired Education Association.
Prior to arriving in Kenosha she taught physical education in East Troy. She also taught swimming for 15 summers. After retiring from the Kenosha district, she worked as an adjunct instructor at Gateway Technical College.
Education was important to Emma. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse with a degree in physical education in 1953. Later she received certification from UW–Whitewater to teach English. In 1972 she earned her master’s degree in English.
Emma also worked as a poll worker during elections and served as chair of her polling place for seven years. She found this work meaningful and rewarding. Away from the polling place, Emma engaged in passionate political discussions. She expressed intense dismay and anger at the current state of affairs and governmental leadership in Wisconsin.
She enjoyed travel and took many special vacations with her dear friend, Margaret Frisch. They spent their summers up north at her beloved cottage “Innisfree.” Some of her fondest summer memories came from the extended visits of her grandchildren to the cottage by the lake.
In her youth Emma was an excellent athlete and played softball for the Racine Junior Belles. She golfed as often as she could, and when she could no longer play the game herself she became an avid fan of the professional circuit. Throughout her life her interest in sports, especially golf and baseball, never waned.
Emma claimed reading as one of her greatest passions. She passed this love of reading on to her sons. Her greatest joys came from the time she spent with her family: her sons and their families, her brothers and sisters and their families. Emma reveled in family gatherings and was always one of the last to leave. Family breakfasts, lunches and dinners at her own home gave her great satisfaction. Each year she hosted an annual Christmas tree-trimming party to kick off her favorite time of year – the Christmas season.
She is survived by her sons, Michael, (Patricia), John, (Lynne), and Mark; grandchildren, Zachary, Rachel, Alyssa and Talia; sister, Ruth (Collova) Miller; nieces and nephews, and her special, long-time friend Margaret Frisch.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Ursula and Charlotte; and brothers, Francis and August.
She married Robert Nepper of Iron Mountain, Mich., in 1954, but was later divorced.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 15, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2201 Northwestern Ave., Racine, with the Rev. Ricardo Martin officiating.
Entombment will be held at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum, Highway 32.
Relatives and friends may meet with the family from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, at Maresh Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home, 803 Main St., Racine. Visitation will also be from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church on Friday.
Memorials to a scholarship fund to be established in Emma’s name have been suggested.
