Emma Maria Rhea (Oma) passed away peacefully in Plano, Texas on October 2, 2018, where she lived near family for ten years. Emma was born in Landstuhl Germany on June 1, 1928 and was the US Army spouse of Chief Warrant Officer Eddie G. Rhea. Oma was a career employee of the Army Air Force Exchange Service, where she made many long and lasting friendships across multiple bases in Europe and the United States. Most notably in Lawton Fort Sill, Oklahoma where she retired and lived for over 30 years prior to her move to Plano, Texas to be near family.
Oma will always be remembered for her positive outlook, caring nature, work ethic and loving disposition with family and friends. She was a longtime member of the Lawton VFW and a supporter of the area military community. Oma enjoyed square dancing, reading, travel and being with her many friends. She was a proud German American and her German cooking was always in high demand. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Lawton, Oklahoma and enjoyed many happy years in the Lawton community. She enjoyed time with her grandchildren and traveled to the United Kingdom and Germany on a number of occasions and many of her German traditions and language have been passed on to the next generation.
She is preceded in death by her parents Eugen and Anna Wagner, her brothers Hans and Paul Wagner and son Karlheinz Osis, his wife Helga, and son Armin Osis. Oma is survived by granddaughter Nicole Osis of Kaiserslautern Germany, son and daughter-in-law Eddie W. and Nanette D. Rhea, and grandsons Jack E. Rhea, Logan P. Rhea and Lucas D. Rhea.
We are grateful to Oma’s many nieces and nephews along with our beloved Konny Petry of Stelzenberg, Germany.
On behalf of our family we would like to thank the loving caregivers at Sunrise at Plano and to Mrs. Jearlene Morris for her kindness and care in her later years.
A Funeral mass will be held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Plano, Texas on Tuesday October 9, 2018 at 11 AM.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your Veteran’s charity of choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.teddickeywestfuneral.com for the Rhea family.
