Emma “Emmie” Geraldine (Rakoczy) Neibauer of Grass Lake, MI passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Monday, December 30, 2019. She was born October 23, 1939 to John and Betty (Vince) Rakoczy in Windber, PA. Emma was a proud Hungarian. After graduation, Emma moved to Michigan for a job with Ford Motor Company with her sisters.
Emma was a proud, loving, nurturing, and devoted individual. She was never one to say no to a sporting event and was always there to support her kids and grandchildren. Always careful with scheduling, she made sure to be at every event possible, making sure everything balanced out so no one felt left out. When she wasn’t out supporting one of her kids, she enjoyed cooking and baking traditional Hungarian and family recipes. Her stuffed cabbage, chicken paprikash, nut rolls, and lady locks will always be cherished by her family. She loved lighthouses and traveling with her family and sisters.
Emma was always too proud to ask for help or show she was in need of help if she could help it. She spent every moment she could with her family with a smile on her face. Her final Christmas was spent surrounded by family while smiling and laughing the whole day through. She always liked to be stylish and even made sure to get herself pampered once more knowing her time was coming. Emma was so dearly loved by so many and will truly be missed until we all meet again at Heaven’s gates. She is resting peacefully with our Lord now.
Emma is survived by four children, Michael (Donna) Neibauer of Farmington Hills, Keith (Carrie) Neibauer of Grass Lake, Kendra (Mark) Manduzzi of Whitmore Lake, and Heather (Shawn) Brown of Grass Lake; eight grandchildren: Kourtney (Ryan) Noll, K.J. (Leah) Neibauer, Nicole Manduzzi, Lauren Neibauer, Cody Brown, Nick Neibauer, Mitchell Manduzzi, and Colten Brown; two great-grandchildren: Kaylyn and Owen; two sisters, Helen Francis of California, and Betty Rose Ferriss of Linden, MI; one sister-in-law, Ursula Rakoczy of Florida, and one brother-in-law, Phil Przywara of Chicago. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, John Rakoczy, a sister, Shirley Przywara, and a brother-in-law, Sid Ferriss.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church of Chelsea on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Monday, January 6, 2020 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., with Rosary at 7:00 p.m. The family will also receive friends Tuesday at church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will take place at St. Mary Roman Catholic Cemetery in Windber, PA.
Memorial contributions in Emma’s name may be made to St. Louis Center.
