Emma A. Gehring
May 24, 2012 – December 11, 2020
Emma Anne Gehring, 8 years old, passed away on Friday December 11, 2020 at 5:13 p.m. at Children’s Hospital surrounded by her family after a courageous 8-year battle with a pediatric brain tumor. Emma was born on Thursday, May 24, 2012, in Omaha, NE. The daughter of Brent and Kathryn (Alt) Gehring, Emma was baptized on July 29, 2012 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church, and received her First Communion on May 21, 2020. Emma was a 3rd Grader at Walnut Creek Elementary in Papillion.
Emma was determined, witty and extremely loving. She enjoyed playing kitchen, doctor, watching cartoons and doing anything with her brothers. Emma was also a proud member of the Dancing Beyond Limits organization. She had a special affection for donuts and caramel Frappuccinos. Emma had such a wonderful sense of humor and her giggle was contagious. She had a personality that sparkled and always made you smile. One particular highlight in Emma’s life was her Make-A-Wish trip to Disney.
Although Emma faced many challenges that set her apart from her peers, she made friends everywhere she went. She loved spending time with her friends, family, nurses, doctors, teachers and therapists and had a special knack for touching the lives of those around her. No one could live and love more passionately than Emma did. Emma faced her battle with pediatric cancer with perseverance and grace. She inspired countless individuals with her strength and resilience and taught us all what it means to be EmmaStrong.
Emma was preceded in death by her great-grandparents: Richard & Rose Mary Lubischer, Francis & Lenora Alt, James & Mary Ann Fuchs. She is survived by her parents, Brent & Kathryn Gehring; brothers, Aiden & Easton Gehring; grandparents, Richard & Margaret Alt and Steven & Cynthia Gehring; great-grandparents, Melvin & Verona Gehring; aunts and uncles: Jennifer & Eric McHugh, Wesley & Lauren Gehring, and Beth & Jamie Christensen; special friend of the family: Haley Reese; as well as extended family including cousins, hospital family, friends and a community who loved her very much.
Memorials may be directed to EmmaStrong Foundation for Pediatric Brain Tumor Research.
VISITATION: Friday, Dec. 18th from 3pm to 7pm at St. Columbkille Catholic Church, 200 East 6th Street, Papillion, NE 68046, with VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Saturday, December 19th at 12noon at St. Columbkille Church. Interment: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 23131 Schram Rd, Gretna, NE 68028
30 Comments
Our sympathy to the family of sweet little Emma…she will now be celebrating Christmas with Jesus and all the other angels..how beautiful that will be…rest in peace Emma.
My condolences to all the families and friends . Heaven truly gained a wonderful Angel up above 💗
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time. Emma will never be forgotten. She was a beautiful light in this world and she showed us all how to trust in Jesus Christ and never lose the faith no matter what.
My deepest condolences to you and your family. I still remember that day in marketing class junior year when you informed the class about Emma and why you were gone so much. She was such a strong little girl and in her short time here on earth she touched and inspired those who have met her and those who have not. I will tell my daughter of her and how she was a kind, strong, determined girl Emma was. #ForeverEmmaStrong
Be Free, Sweet Girl. Watch over your amazing family who love you with everything they have. Remember to send them signs that you are all around them. You leave a legacy of courage and bravery. You are already so missed.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Emma had such a positive impact on many lives in the Bellevue, Papillion, and Omaha community. She is at rest now and will peacefully be watching from up above. ❤️
Emma brought so much joy to this world and we will keep celebrating her life. We send our deepest condolences and will continue to pray for the Gehring family. We are forever Emma Strong.
We just heard about Emma and so sorry to hear of her death. We didn’t know her but we heard a lot of good things about her through the years. She is beautiful and has brought a lot of joy to many. God keep you all in the palm of His hand.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. May you have the peace that passes all understanding as you know that she is with Jesus, and she made an awesome difference in the lives of everyone she touched
Hugs to all of you. Let your memories be your comfort. Knowing she is with Jesus will be a great comfort.prayers for all..
I have kept up with.Miss Enna through here. What an amazingly beautiful & strong little girl. God bless her and she is flying with the angles and watching over you all. Sweet sweet girl ❣️
You have our deepest sympathy for you and your family and I hope you find comfort in the fact that Emma is flying with the Angels as she watches over you now!
I did not know Emma but I followed her story , and prayed for her every night .
Sweet Emma is an Angel in Heaven just as she was an Angel here on Earth only now she is free of pain. She will be missed. Our prayers blanket your family.. ❤️🙏
Sending our condolences. Following Emma on facebook made us close to her and you the family. Being a nurse and at one time caring for patients similar to Emma has just left me with an empty hands and heart.
Her life will be a special memory forever and you will always have her in your heart celebrating Emma. Praying that Emma is at peace and your hearts will be heavy but in time you will be at peace with her.
God’s Blessings, Dean & Marian Barjenbruch
Emma made us all better at being us. May she have endless play days in heaven. Brett, I am a better father because of you. Merry Christmas and may God bless your family.
Our family sends our deepest condolences to your family. May you feel God’s comfort during this difficult time. – The Chipman Family
Sweet Emma- so full of grace and strength.
You were blessed with 2 wonderful brothers and parents who will carry your legacy on. The special moments your family had will never be forgotten but embraced and always remembered.
Prayers to you all.
So sorry for the loss of Emma – She’s at rest now . What a wonderful little gal she was. God’s blessings.
Deepest sympathies. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers 🙏.
Myron and I extend our condolences to the entire family. I have counted Maggee as a friend for many years plus had the wonderful pleasure of working with her for several of those years. II feels like I walked a part of this walk with her as did many of the people in our small town of Scribner. Prayer groups, churches and individuals have prayed for Emma and her family for eight years. We will continue to pray that her family will receive comfort and peace at this time knowing that little sweetheart is in the arms of Jesus and without any pain.
May God wrap you in his embrace and provide you with the comfort and strength you need.
Sending so many prayers to you all! May we dance together again in heaven sweet girl!!
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Emma now is pain free dancing, running, and playing in Heaven! Thank you for sharing Emm’s precious life with all of us!!
Although you will miss her terribly, I hope you comfort in knowing that Emma will be celebrating her first Christmas in heaven. May God grant you his peace.
We are thinking and praying for all of you. Emma inspired us with her grit and grace (which I believe she inherited from her Mom.) Sending our love your way.
Lifting the Gehring and Alt families up in prayer in this difficult time. Without a doubt Emma was a warrior, and showed us all time and time again that she still had ‘work to do’ in beating the odds. Emma will forever be a force for good when it comes to showing the world how urgent the need for pediatric brain tumor research is. My hope is that she is dancing above us all now, pain free and smiling. Many distant hugs to all from your relatives in Maryland <3
Please accept our condolences. She fought a good fight and has left a heck of a legacy. We will continue to include you all in our daily prayers for strength and comfort during this difficult journey.
Peace and love to the Gehring family and everyone who cared about Emma. I hope your sweet memories of your remarkable little girl bring comfort to you.
May Emma Rest In Peace, and all love and prayers out to the Gherring family during this time
Sign Guestbook