Emma Rae Pike, age 80, of 10372 S. Main St, died Tuesday morning August 12, 2008 at the St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba where she was a patient.

Emma was born February 24, 1928 in Adrian, MI the daughter of Fred Richard and Mabel Rae (Drager) Witt.  She was raised in Adrian and she was a professional dancer until the age of 10 in Detroit and Ann Arbor.  Emma attended Adrian Public Schools, and she was a graduate of the Tecumseh High School. 

Following graduation, Emma was united in marriage to Forest Pike on December 24, 1949 in Tecumseh and they made their home in Sand Creek where they operated a Dairy Farm until 1959 when they moved to Rapid River.

Emma and Forest owned and operated Pike’s Food Market until 1975 when they sold the business.  Emma continued working for the Masonville Township as its Public Works Director until 1979.

Forest and Emma enjoyed traveling to Florida every year where they played golf every day.

Emma was a member of the Rapid River Lions Club and the Rapid River American Legion Auxiliary Post #301.  Her hobbies included golfing, traveling, gardening and making crafts.

Survivors include:

2 sons: Steven Lee (Mary) Pike of Tecumseh; Dion Evan (Kathy) Pike of St. Clair, MI

1 daughter: Cynthia Jean (William) Francis of Houghton, MI

7 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sister-in-law: Hattie Witt of Tecumseh

Special Friend: Joelle Schramm of Rapid River

Emma’s dogs: Snow and Toby

In addition to her parents, Emma was preceded in death by her husband, Forest, daughter, Vanessa Ann Morrison and 3 brothers, Fred Richard Lee Witt, Lee Duncan and Anthony Frey.

According to Emma’ wishes, no public visitation or services will be held.  Private services will be held at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River with Rev. Stephen Gauger officiating.  Burial will follow at the Rapid River Cemetery.  Memorial contributions in memory of Emma may be directed to the Delta County Humane Society.