Emilie G. Pechmann

COTTAGE GROVE- Emilie Pechmann left Kindred Hearts in Cottage Grove to be with her beloved husband, Kurt, on Monday, July 11, 2016. Born in Gimmeldingen, Germany to Leonhard and Emilie (Wagner) Gunst on Jan. 10, 1928, Emilie was the fourth of ten children. Although she helped in the family vineyards, Emilie pursued another interest and became a seamstress. She started her career in a clothing store in Nuestadt an der Weinstrasse, a larger, nearby city. She met a young "good looking" soldier named Kurt, at a local festival called the Winzinger Kerwe. Kurt was recuperating from an injury obtained on the Russian Front. The two exchanged letters for many years and after the war, with Kurt returning home, they were married in Gimmeldingen on Aug. 18, 1949. After applying to come to America in 1949, it took three years before a farmer that Kurt worked for as a POW in Lodi, Wis. to agree to sponsor them. Passing through Ellis Island in 1952, they headed for Lodi. Emilie worked for Weber Bakery until finding work in Madison as a seamstress. She worked at several fine men's clothing stores on the Capital Square and State Street before retiring from the Boston Store in 2013. She continued to sew at home and always had work. An exceptional cook, Emilie would prepare the finest German dishes with a family favorite being Rouladen with dumplings. No meal was complete without several bottles of Rhine wine. At Christmas time cookies filled every dish. In her later years, she was always outside where you could find her doing yard work, tending to her flowers, or spoiling the grandchildren. She enjoyed reminiscing and telling stories about her childhood and growing up in a war torn country. Her memory of her childhood was very clear, describing in detail her friends, school, and family. She was a very remarkable woman, a loving mother, and loved to kid around. Emilie's parents, her husband, Kurt of 59 years, and seven brothers and sisters went ahead to prepare her new home for her. Surviving Emilie are two sons, Allen and Gerhard (Joan). Also surviving are her grandchildren, Andrew, Molly, Erich, and Christina; along with great-grandchildren, Bennett and Olivia. Family in Germany includes her brother, Werner; and her sister, Irmgard. A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Thursday, July 14, 2016. Private burial services will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison. A special "Thank you" to the staff at Kindred Hearts in Cottage Grove, Dr. Boushea and her staff for the kindness and compassion they showed her over the years, and to the staff at Agrace HospiceCare for their wonderful care. The many visits by friends to see mom was very much appreciated. Gerhard thanks all of you very much for those visits. "Auf Wiedersehen Oma, komm gut nach Hause und sagen hallo zu Opa." Liebe Gerhard. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420