Emma Demchuk-Franklund, 95, Makoti, died Thursday, July 19, 2007, in her home.

Emma was born February 14, 1912, near Kief, ND, to Prince and Zenovia (Kulish) Trihub. In 1915, the Trihub family filed a homestead nine miles north of Makoti where they raised cattle and farmed. Emma was the third eldest of ten children. She attended country school until the fourth grade and then had to stay home to help with the younger children and the farmstead. She said life was hard and there was always a lot of work to do, but they always managed to have fun and enjoy what they had.

In 1934, she married Alex Demchuk; they lived near Drake, ND for a few years, and then moved to Hazel Park, MI, where Alex was a truck driver. Their only daughter, Elaine was born there. They were not fond of the city life and living so far from family so they moved back to ND in 1945 and bought the farm directly north of Makoti, Emma resided there the rest of her life.

Emma and Alex had five children: Allen, Eugene, Elaine, Ronald, and Davey. The family lost Alex in 1949 in a boating accident while they were visiting his sister in Alberta, Canada. Emma continued to manage the farm with her children and her brother in law Eddie Demchuk who helped with the farming and the cattle for several years. He was Alex's youngest brother and a treasured member of the family.

In September 1967, she married Victor Franklund. They enjoyed their early retirement years with a lot of traveling throughout the states and Alaska visiting friends and relatives. They even made a trip to Hawaii. But she loved ND the most, whenever they would come back from a trip she would say, "Why would anyone want to live anywhere but in ND? This is the best place in the world to be!"

Every year she would grow this huge garden that would supply the family with food for the winter. She was from the old school where canning and preserving and storing food for the winter was just what was done. In her later years her vegetable gardening was cut back and she just enjoyed her flowers.

She was an avid seamstress and enjoyed making quilts. Every one of her grandchildren treasures the quilts she made for them. She also made many crocheted and knitted items that she gave as gifts or sold at craft shows. She never could just sit; she always had to be busy doing something.

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Hope Lutheran Church, Ladies Aid, Makoti Homemakers, Makoti Threshing Association, and the Makoti Senior Citizens. The highlight of her week was going to the senior center for the canasta games and visiting with her friends.

She is survived by her daughter: Elaine, Makoti; Grandsons: Jeffrey, Bismarck, ND, Tim, Makoti, ND, Brad, Minot, ND, Scott (Shannon), St. Michael, MN, and David (Noel), Fargo, ND; Sisters: Alvina Larson, Prescott, AZ and Eleanor Roth, Hubert, OK; Great-Grandchildren: Buddy McDaniel, Amber Snyder, Jenna Snyder, Karissa, Kaitlyn, Eric, and Evan Snyder, Zachary and Gavin Snyder; Step-Children: Ray Franklund, Jamestown, ND, Avis Hoffart, Audubon, MN, Ulane-Buster (Bernice) Franklund, Wilton, ND, Paul (Edna) Franklund - Farmer's Branch, TX, and Irene (Ted) Thorson, Wing, ND; and several nieces and nephews.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, Alex and Victor; sons, Allen, Eugene, Ronald, and Davey; Son-in-law Laurel Snyder; sisters, May Howard and Thelma Zavalney; brothers, baby Alvin, Eddie, Alvin Prince, and Lloyd; stepson, Leonard Franklund; and stepdaughter, Grace Baranyk.

She was a wonderful lady who seemed to get along with everyone, held high principals and was never afraid of work. She had a long full life and will leave a big void in our lives.

Funeral: Friday, July 27, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church, Makoti.
Interment: Hope Lutheran Cemetery, Makoti, ND.
Visitation: Thursday, July 26, 2007, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.