Emma Lou Weber

Emma Lou Weber, age 93, recently of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, died May 23, 2024.

She was a Dust Bowl and Great Depression baby who lived to see the era of artificial intelligence.

Born to William and Lula Eckley, she grew up in Salina, Kansas, with her brothers Bill (Jeanette) and Bob (Leona). At the age of 21, she married John Weber, who was raised in Ellis, Kansas, and was attending business school in Salina when he and Emma met.

After John’s service in the Army and Army Air Force, they started a family, moving frequently but settling for the most part in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, until John’s job transfer to the Chicago area in 1975.

Emma was part of a huge wave of women who entered the workforce in the 1960s and ‘70s. She started as an Avon lady but eventually worked in a department store, in a newspaper office, for a floral delivery company, and at a number of other businesses.

John died suddenly at the age of 56, and Emma became a fiercely independent widow, mom, grandma, great-grandma, friend, and volunteer. During her years in the Chicago suburbs, she lived in Woodridge, Naperville, Prospect Heights (Rob Roy Country Club Village), Arlington Heights (Church Creek), and Buffalo Grove (Belmont Village).

Her children are Mark (Roma) of Eden Prairie, Debra Pederson (John), and Lori Grier (Jim), all of whom were with their mom in her final hours. Emma proudly had seven grandchildren: Eric, Scott, Marissa, Jimmy, Allison, Craig (Anna), and Grant. Also, two great-grandchildren: Haiden and Wesley.

She will be buried next to John in Ellis. Visitation is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 22, with chapel service at 11:30 a.m., all at Lauterburg-Oehler Funeral Home in Arlington Heights, Illinois. If you wish to honor Emma, donate to or volunteer at your favorite charity. Importantly, have friends and be a friend.