Obituary of Emma Couturier

Emma Lucille Kolarik was born in Gills Pier, Michigan on October 30, 1927. She was one of ten children born from the union of the late William Thomas and the late Mary Anna (Korson) Kolarik. Emma attended St. Mary's High School in Lake Leelanau and graduated with the class of 1947. For several years Emma worked as a bookkeeper. She married the love of her life, Lee Roy Couturier on September 2, 1950. Emma took on the role of homemaker being supportive to her husband and five children. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and sewing for them creating lovely clothing and costumes, and knitting. Emma served as a Den Mother at St. Mary in Wayne and was Co-Director of the Knights of the Altar at St. Richard in Westland, served on the funeral luncheon team at St. John the Baptist and St. Charles, and was a past 4H leader. Later in life she was a member of the Happy Hookers at the Frenchtown Senior Citizens. Emma, age 87, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, July 19, 2015. In addition to her parents, her passing was preceded by husband: Lee on January 16, 2002; and three brothers: Paul John Kolarik in 2007, and William John and Beno in 1926. To cherish her memory she leaves five loving children: Margaret Ann "Peggy" Couturier of Monroe, Guy "Douglas" Couturier of Newport, Debra Leigh (Richard) Lake of Canton, Jeffrey William (Jennifer) Couturier of Monroe, and Neil Thomas Couturier (Robert Mason) of Chicago; two brothers: Morris (Dorothy) Kolarik and Jerome (Mary Ann) Kolarik; four sisters: Veronica West, Agnes McWethy, Rita (Jerry) Radecki and Jane (Richard) Beaudry; seventeen grandchildren: David Lake, Krystle (Bill) Harrell, Phillip (Jenna) Lake, Julia, Irene, Jeanette, Nickolas, James, Dennis, Daniel, Emmalee, Mitchell, Kevin, Craig, Abigail, Emma, Adam and Madeline Couturier; eleven great grandchildren: Austin, Aleecya, Aubree, Noah, Emma, Presley, Amy, Michael, Leonard, Sofia and Layla. Friends may gather from 5:00pm until 8:00pm on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 and from 1:00pm until 8:00pm on Wednesday, July 22 at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway (734) 241-7070. A Rosary Service led by Deacon Mike Hammond will take place at 7:00pm on Wednesday. She will lie in state from 9:00am until the Mass of the Resurrection at 10:00am on Thursday, July 23 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 8125 Swan Creek Road with Father John Chinnappa officiating. Procession will follow to the church cemetery for burial. Online condolences can be made by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.