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WASHINGTON - Paula Emons-Fuessle ,69, passed away on Monday, March 22, 2021 with hospice care in her home surrounded by loving family.
She was born on Dec. 2, 1951 in Alton, Illinois, to Joe and Shirley Emons.
Her surviving family include mother, Shirley Emons; sister, Gayle (Steve) Joehl; brother, Matthew Emons; also three sons, Torben (Stacy), Nils (Emily), and Peter; along with two granddaughters, Helene and Maeve.
Father Joe Emons precedes her in death.
She attended Monmouth College for two years where she met her future husband, Robert Fuessle.
She finished her Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in library science at the University of Illinois in Urbana.
She received a Rotary Scholarship to study in Denmark for one year after which Paula and Robert were married on May 28, 1975 in Aarhus, Denmark.
Paula had a love for knitting and many other crafts also including many aspects of nature such as butterflies, birds, and plants.
Her love for knitting started with her grandmother Helen Emons. It developed and matured during her study in Denmark during the early 1970's.
Shortly after her return to the USA, she attended workshops and became friends with Elizabeth Zimmermann, a knitting pioneer who had a show on PBS.
She shared her knitting passion by educating and inspiring others.
She organized church groups to knit hats for preemies and prayer shawls.
She developed a podcast called Knitting Pipeline with over 300 episodes and over a million downloads enjoyed by thousands across the world, showcasing her passion for knitting, nature and everyday life.
She also published YouTube tutorials on knitting techniques and quilting, which became another craft passion in her later years.
She published her own designs for shawls through Quince & Co., a sponsor of her podcasts.
She held retreats for knitters who traveled from all over the USA as well as an occasional international visitors at Atlanta, Georgia; Kennebunk Maine, and Washington, Illinois, her hometown.
She organized travels to Iceland and Scotland for knitters. She loved her role as a facilitator for friendships among her knitting followers.
Paula was a PEO and a member of Crossroads United Methodist Church.
She was also a member and treasurer of the Celtic Pipes and Drums.
She played with her band in competitions with other bands throughout Midwest, at a world competition in Scotland, and the Netherlands National Military Tattoo.
She also played solo performances locally.
After reading a newspaper article noting ovarian cancer as one among a few cancers that were underfunded for research, Paula appealed to her podcast followers and inspired them to contribute to Dr. Katherine Fuh, an ovarian cancer researcher at Washington University.
Paula met with Dr. Fuh as she is a colleague of Paula's oncologist, Dr. Nora MacZura.
If you wish to make a contribution in memory of Paula, please make your check payable to: OB/GYN Division of Gynecologic Oncology.
In the memo please write: Ovarian Cancer Research Katherine Fuh Lab. Please mail to Paula's sister, who will batch mail donations to Washington University; this process alleviates bookkeeping for Washington University.
Mail to: Gayle Joehl, 307 Nicolet Drive, Godfrey, IL 62035.
We are sorry that the process to donate is a little lengthy but we are told that this is the way to be sure the money raised will go to Dr. Fuh's lab as Paula requested.
Donating online was not a good option because it is even more involved than the mail process and a great chance the money would not be funneled into Dr. Fuh's research lab.
Services will be private and burial will be in Glendale Cemetery in Washington.
Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.
Paula's memorial website is available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com where condolences may also be sent to her family.
To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Published in The Telegraph from Mar. 26 to Mar. 27, 2021. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thetelegraph/obituary.aspx?n=paula-emons-fuessle&pid=198165712
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Deborah A Bayley (Provinzano)
I am so sorry to hear this! Paula fought so hard & shared this final journey in such a touching way. I pray for peace & strength for her loved ones.
Moreland Gaddis
I remember Paula mostly from Sunday School at First Presbyterian Church. She was sweet and genuine and interested in many aspects of life like her dad.
With Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday just a breath away, what a powerful time to be ushered in to the Presence of God.
Frank Vozak (Vozak)
I remember Paula as a classmate who was always a joy to
be around and who always approached the positives in life
This kind of emotional maturity is rare in childhood and teen years,
yet Paula had this way about her from the first day we met. It
saddens me that the world has to do without the kind of joy she brought
to everyone around her
Richard L Heavner
Paula was one of the nicest people I knew. Great memories of her at North Junior and Alton High. Will always remember riding our bikes from Godfrey to Alton High on the first Earth Day in 1970 and for several days thereafter.