Emma A. Gehring

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

 

31 Comments

  • Susan korus Posted December 14, 2020 3:53 pm

    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.

  • Winnie Mondi Posted December 14, 2020 4:17 pm

    My condolences to all the families and friends . Heaven truly gained a wonderful Angel up above 💗

  • Inga Ruth Posted December 14, 2020 4:19 pm

    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.

  • Kaitlin Walker (Kenny) Posted December 14, 2020 4:22 pm

    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

  • Megan Fry Posted December 14, 2020 4:53 pm

    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.

  • Nicolas Chaki Posted December 14, 2020 5:00 pm

    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. ❤️

  • The Pelletier’s Posted December 14, 2020 5:04 pm

    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.

  • Clyde and Barbara Johnson Posted December 14, 2020 5:04 pm

    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.

  • Annette Sonntag Posted December 14, 2020 5:17 pm

    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

  • Liela konopasek Posted December 14, 2020 5:38 pm

    Hugs to all of you. Let your memories be your comfort. Knowing she is with Jesus will be a great comfort.prayers for all..

  • Shirley Torres Posted December 14, 2020 5:40 pm

    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 ❣️

  • Sabra Schmidt Posted December 14, 2020 5:45 pm

    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!

  • Mary Risavi Posted December 14, 2020 5:56 pm

    I did not know Emma but I followed her story , and prayed for her every night .

  • Gary & Dee Walters Posted December 14, 2020 6:46 pm

    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.. ❤️🙏

  • Dean W Barjenbruch Posted December 14, 2020 7:15 pm

    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

  • DiGiorgio’s Sportswear Posted December 14, 2020 7:17 pm

    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.

  • Todd & Kim Chipman Posted December 14, 2020 8:27 pm

    Our family sends our deepest condolences to your family. May you feel God’s comfort during this difficult time. – The Chipman Family

  • Janae Simard Posted December 14, 2020 8:31 pm

    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.

  • Barb Jarecki & Carolyn Petersen Posted December 14, 2020 9:32 pm

    So sorry for the loss of Emma – She’s at rest now . What a wonderful little gal she was. God’s blessings.

  • Sherry Lindhorst Posted December 14, 2020 10:52 pm

    Deepest sympathies. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers 🙏.

  • Jeanette Groppe Posted December 15, 2020 8:49 am

    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.

  • Roblyn Stiverson Posted December 15, 2020 10:39 am

    May God wrap you in his embrace and provide you with the comfort and strength you need.

  • Ashley Hedden Posted December 15, 2020 3:54 pm

    Sending so many prayers to you all! May we dance together again in heaven sweet girl!!

  • Kandi Call Posted December 15, 2020 6:05 pm

    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!!

  • Francis & Linda Sedlacek Posted December 15, 2020 7:17 pm

    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.

  • The Wheelocks (Coach Wheelock) Posted December 16, 2020 9:06 am

    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.

  • Lindsay Kahler Posted December 17, 2020 4:50 pm

    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

  • Kevin and Amber Whife Posted December 18, 2020 12:01 am

    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.

  • Kara Schweiss Posted December 18, 2020 12:01 pm

    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.

  • Keshaun Connor Posted December 19, 2020 11:56 am

    May Emma Rest In Peace, and all love and prayers out to the Gherring family during this time

  • Emma Lee Gehring Posted December 1, 2021 7:07 pm

    I had no idea that my name-fellow was in Heaven with the angels. May she rest in peace.

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