Georgia Ann Emrick

Georgia Ann Strand Emrick, daughter of Georgia G. and Arthur J. Strand, was born March 20, 1945 in Orange, California. Georgia passed away on June 27, 2014 with her brother at her bedside. Georgia Ann, known to family and friends as GA, was born in California, but loved growing up in St. Thomas, North Dakota. Following the end of WWII, Art and Georgia (Jay), returned to their home in St. Thomas to farm and to live life among family and friends. Art had been an officer in the Army Air Corp (now the US Air Force), and was responsible for training young recruits at the Santa Ana Air Corp facility. The Strand family lived on Balboa Island, and included GA's brother James, born in 1942. GA was a friend to all, and enjoyed all the activities that took place in her grade school and high school years at St. Thomas School. She especially liked the "sock hops", proms and special dress up occasions. She was active in girls choir, mixed choir, band-she played the drums, dramatics club, working on the annual, volleyball, was class librarian, and on the student council. Her biggest delight was being a cheerleader and her enthusiasm was definitely contagious. Following her graduation from high school, GA was accepted into the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks where she completed her Bachelor's degree in June 1967. She followed in her mother's footsteps and was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. After graduation, GA accepted a teaching position in the Minneapolis area where she taught grade school. Although she enjoyed teaching, she yearned for a warmer climate, and headed for California. She moved to San Bernardino where she began a life-long association with the San Bernardino school district. GA was an outstanding teacher who inspired her students and motivated them do their best. She continued her education and received her Master's degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University in 1977. GA was respected by her administration and peers, and dedicated her time and resources to providing her students with a quality education. After many years of teaching, GA decided to pursue an alternative source of learning for students and started her own business, The Sylvan Learning Center which provided tutoring and help to students on a one-on-one basis. Although satisfying work, after several years she returned to teaching in the classrooms with the San Bernardino school district. GA was active in the San Bernardino Teachers Association and worked to promote the quality of education for all students in the district. Upon her retirement, she was issued a certificate which read, "Your presence has enriched the lives of students and served as an example for all". A most fitting tribute for such an outstanding teacher. She retired in 1988 to spend time relaxing at her home in Victorville, California. Georgia Ann's life was enriched by her many friends and family. She especially loved her dear cousin and comrade-in-arms, Janie Thexton McDonald. GA married William Emrick, and together they enjoyed sailing the Pacific coastline in Bill's sailboat. Although they later divorced, GA did love those times in the sun. GA was the special aunt for her brother Jim and sister-in-law Jan's children, Carey and Christopher. She delighted in each of their accomplishments and spent every holiday and special event with them. Georgia is preceded in death by her father, Arthur John, and her mother, Georgia Ganssle Strand. She is survived by her brother, James and his wife, Janet Strand; niece Carey Strand Terhune, her husband Casey and their children, Summer, Landon, and Barrett; and nephew Christopher Strand and his wife Michelle. She is also survived by her cousins: Janie (Thexton) and Jim McDonald; Paula (Strand) and Paul Derrick; Mary (Ganssle) Johnson; Patricia (Ganssle) and David Faustman; Katherine (Ganssle) and John Syers and their families. It was the wish of GA to have a memorial service in St. Thomas on a summer day, and to have the reception at the Garnett House, where she had spend so many family holidays. The services will be held at the St. Thomas Cemetery at 2pm on Friday, June 12 and a reception will follow at the Garnett home. All are invited to attend.