Emma Jane McCune
Emma Jane McCune went into the presence of the Lord on Oct. 9.
She was born Feb. 23, 1941 in Colorado Springs to Roy and Eva McCune and came to know Christ as a child. She attended Palmer High School, obtained a BA in Education and then went on to earn a Masters of Education in Library Science in 1969.
Challenging herself to be adventurous after obtaining her BA, she talked to a recruiter for a position in Alaska. Her first teaching job was in Ninilchik. She said those were her favorite years teaching.
She went on to teach or be the librarian in various other areas from Seldovia, Kenai to Zion Christian School. From working summers in the Kenai area canneries to being a librarian at the local jail and working for Dr. Frazier,McCune was always challenging herself to do and learn different things. Emma was a teacher to innumerable people. She imparted spiritual wisdom and exasperation to them all with equal ease.
Her sense of adventure made McCune a true Alaska woman. She loved to travel. Great memories were made by those who went with her from Israel to Nepal to Mexico. In her younger days, she did a trip around the world to Scotland, England and Holland. She told great stories of driving the Alcan Hwy back when it was still considered a crude cow path on her way from Colorado to Alaska.
Her love for Jesus, her personal Savior, was her strongest influence. Strong faith to strong belief, McCune always kept the faith and shared it with those around her. North Kenai Chapel became her family in Alaska. It was very much at the heart of McCune’s service and ministry for Christ. From being the church secretary to playing flute with the worship band, McCune had a servant’s heart. In the women’s Bible study that went from 1997 to just a week ago, many lives were changed, challenged and enriched by McCune. From setting up the Friendship Mission website to administrative duties with Royal Family, McCune loved serving her Savior.
She is proceeded in death by her parents; sister, Ida and nephew, Bill Freeman.
She is survived by brother, Ben McCune (Wanda) of Oklahoma, nieces, Molly Loup (Jim) of South Dakota; Twila Layne (Thomas) of Tennessee, Sherry Freeman of Wyoming, Amanda McCune of Nevada, nephews, David Wendt (Amanda), Russell Freeman (Jamie), Mike McCune (Stephanie), Gerard Freeman (Michelle), Jessie McCune all of Colorado and Philip Freeman of Tennessee; great nieces and nephews, Jacob Layne, Nancy and Faith McCune, Emily, Cody and Johnnie Loup, Kaleb and Noah Wendt, Whitmore, Henry, Owen, Jack and Olivia Freeman, and great-great niece, Payne McCune.
She leaves a legacy for Christ for others to follow and is loved by many in the community. Heaven can only account for the many lives and hearts she touched and challenged. We are stronger and richer for knowing her.
Celebration of her life will be Thursday Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at North Kenai Chapel.