Emma Jane (Rushman) Knudsen

Emma Jane (Rushman) Knudsen

Born: Tue., Sep. 12, 1939

Died: Thu., Oct. 16, 2014

Emma Jane Knudsen, 75, of Redby, Minnesota began her journey to the spirit world on Thursday, October 16, 2014 from her home in Redby after her long courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her family. She was born on September 12, 1939 in Ponemah, Minnesota the daughter of Jack and Emma (Sayers) Rushman.

Emma was a very strong woman with a great memory. She was always there for her family and was the one who kept everyone together. Emma loved going to pow-wows. She liked to go to the casino and play bingo, with her gambling buddy Mavis, whenever she could. Emma liked to knit and crochet and when time allowed would make her family special pieces. She would go "rummaging" with her family often. She loved spending time with her family and was always up for a car ride. Emma was a lot of fun to be around and will be missed deeply.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents; Jack and Emma, a son; Douglas LaDuke, her brothers; Henry Rushman, Sr. and Cedric Rushman, her sisters; Cecelia Kingbird, Frances Smith, LeoJean Rushman and Lavinia Rushman and numerous aunts, uncles and nephews.

She will be lovingly remembered by those she leaves behind who include her sons; Derek (Shannon) LaDuke, Cedric LaDuke, Sr. and LaVerne LaDuke all of Redby, daughters; Avis LaDuke of Redby, Wanda LaDuke of Blackduck and Mavis LaDuke of Redby, a sister; Lavina Rushman of Thief River Falls, special grandchildren; Kristina LaDuke, Angela LaDuke, Rhiannon "Nana" LaDuke and Cedric "Ceggy" LaDuke, Jr., 24 additional grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren, many other relatives and friends.

A wake service for Emma will begin at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 18, 2014 at the Redby Community Center and will continue until the 10:00 a.m., service on Monday, October 20, 2014. Allen Hardy will be the spiritual leader. Active Pallbearers for Emma will be Derek (Dana) LaDuke, Sr., Cedric LaDuke, Jr., Matthew McGregor, Stephen LaDuke-Fajardo, Joshua LaDuke and David LaDuke. Alternate pallbearers are LaVerne "Buckshot" LaDuke, Robert "Moe" Rushman, Sr. and Oyate' EagleTail. Honorary pallbearers will be: Mavis LaDuke, Wanda LaDuke, Avis LaDuke, Iris Barrett, Chari LaDuke-Clark, Donna Rushman, Gail Kingbird, Margaret Porter and all her family and friends. Interment will be held in the LaDuke Family Burial Grounds, at the junction, east of Redby following her service.

Emma's care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN. Online condolences for the family may be given at http://www.northernpeace.com