Mrs. Poelker worked at Scott Air Force Base and then became a full-time homemaker while also working at the business, Poelkers Garage and Towing Company that her husband, Floyd and her owned and operated. She was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Belleville, IL. She volunteered at the Church, Meals on Wheels, and the Community Interfaith Food Pantry. Emilia loved her family. Spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and playing games and cards with her family brought her great joy. She loved to cook and bake. She was a doting mother and grandmother and loved with her whole heart.
Emilia was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Floyd A. Poelker, whom she married on April 11, 1953; her son, Floyd Poelker Jr.; her parents, George and Emelia Robben; three sisters, Marcella (Louis) Netemeyer, Rose (Harold) Herbert, Theresa (Alvin “Pete”) Kniepmann; two brothers, Vincent Robben, George Robben; brothers-in-law, Fred Bohnenkemper, Cletus Wiedner, and George Henken; sisters-in-law, Alyce Robben, Helen (Louis) Olvitt, Betty (Eugene) Williams; her father-in-law, Herman Poelker, mother-in-law, Anna, nee Weinerth, Poelker; and numerous friends.
Surviving are her six children, Dean Poelker (fiancée, Teri Auer) of Belleville, IL, Nadine (Doug) Black of Freeburg, IL, Greg (Cheryl) Poelker of Belleville, IL, Barbara (Bruce) Augustine of Frisco, TX, Kathleen Poelker (Rick Miller) of Swansea, IL,
and Helen (Dave) Siebenberger of Waterloo, IL;
12 grandchildren, Melinda (Derek) Morgan of Freeburg, IL, Dan Poelker of Phoenix, AZ, Caitlin (Clay) Weier of Albers, IL, Abby (Blake) Hale of Plano, TX, Jennifer (Josh) Schmitz of Waterloo, IL, Jessica (Alex) Schmidt of Waterloo, IL, Stephanie (Todd) Rick of Waterloo, IL, Curtis Augustine of Frisco, TX, Christopher Augustine of Frisco, TX, Lindsay Miller of Swansea, IL, Casey (Nick) Seward of Belleville, IL, and Jami Green of Belleville, IL;
11 great-grandchildren, Kallena and Annaliese Morgan, Axel and Ava Weier, Elliot and Blayke Schmitz, Bailey and Simon Rick, Faith and Ben Seward, and McKenzie Miller;
nine sisters, Frances and Carol Robben, Florence Weidner, Mary Ann Bohnenkemper, Margaret Robben, Eleanor Henken,
and Patti (Frank) Huels;
and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family wishes to thank all the visitors who have visited mom while she was at the Villas of Holly Brook Memory Care Center. The nurses and aides loved mom and she enjoyed her time there. They took wonderful care of her. Special thanks to the nurses, Mary Hinkle and Tracy Papproth and Becky Hardy, Mom’s hospice nurse.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, to Promedica Hospice or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, December 31, 2022, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 31, 2022, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Fr. Matthew Elie officiating.
Burial will be held at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.