Emilia “Emma” Illich, 92, passed away peacefully with family present on Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Fargo. Emma’s Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Friday, May 24, 2019 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson with Msgr. Thomas Richter as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m. with Deacon Leonard Krebs presiding.
Emma was born July 7, 1926 to John and Philomena (Hanel) Binstock on a farm in Dunn Co. near New Hradec. She was the 9th of 10 children. Soon after, the family moved to Dickinson where she attended St. Joseph’s school and later worked several jobs.
She met Joseph A. Illich and after he returned from service in World War II, they were married June 17, 1947. They started their lives together on a farm 8 miles west of New England, later moving to the Illich family farmstead 18 miles south of Dickinson where they lived and farmed for over 50 years. They where active members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New England and later members of Queen of Peace Church in Dickinson. After the passing of her husband Joe in 2006, she moved to Dickinson where she lived until 2015 when she then moved to Fargo, to be close to family.
Joe and Emma had four children; Joseph W. (Kelly), Gerald M., Vernon J. (Barbara) and John D. (Jennifer). She was blessed with 9 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Emma was preceded in death by her husband Joseph A. Illich, her son Joseph W. Illich and all of her siblings.
Emma was a lifetime member of the Legion’s Women’s Auxiliary and active member of the St. Mary’s Altar Guild.
