Passed away on Dec 31, 2009

Emma Orlich-Nash, age 95, of Black River Falls, WI, passed away December 31, 2009 at Family Heritage Care Center, Black River Falls, while under the care of Black River Hospice. Emma Marie Grittner was born on April 3, 1914 in Westboro, WI to Joseph and Anna (Berg) Grittner. She was raised at Westboro and, as a young woman, moved to Chicago where she was employed as an upstairs maid and as a salad and sandwich girl by Chicago hotels. She married Morril Orlich in 1936 in Westboro. The couple first lived in Chicago and Wisconsin Rapids before settling in Black River Falls in 1945. Morril Orlich died in 1969. At the time of his death, Morril Orlich was the Black River Falls city clerk. Emma later married David Nash in 1971 in Black River Falls. David Nash died in 1976. Emma had been employed as a sales clerk at Anthony’s Department Store, Taylor and Jones Department Store, and Ravnum’s Ben Franklin Store, and Paramount Studios all of Black River Falls. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Black River Falls and the Thompson-RedCloud VFW Post 1959 Auxiliary. She enjoyed gardening, baking, and sewing. Surviving are two daughters, Carol J. (M. John) Shamo of St. Clair Shores, Mich. and Bonnie Orlich of Merrillan; a granddaughter, Susan (Peter Crocker) Barbieri of St. Paul, Minn.; a grandson, Paul Barbieri of New Baltimore, MIch.; a great granddaughter, Lily-Anna Crocker; and numerous other relatives. In addition to both husbands, Emma was preceded in death by 2 brothers and 3 sisters. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 2, 2010, 1:00 p.m., at Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls. Reverend Lon Jury will be officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Black River Falls. Family and friends are invited for visitation Saturday, January 2, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. A VFW auxiliary service will be held at 12:45 p.m., at Buswell Funeral Home. Buswell Funeral Home of Black River Falls is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com.