Emma Katherine Brickman – Elliott – Smit formally of Winner, South Dakota, born July 8, 1919 South of Carter, SD to Christian and Katherine Brickman passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2017 at Katherine's Place, Fayetteville, Arkansas at the age of 98.  She was the 3rd youngest of 8 children.

Emma graduated from the eighth grade at a school near Carter.  She was confirmed into the Lutheran faith on Aug. 11, 1935 at Jerusalem Lutheran Church.  After her schooling she was needed on the farm to help harvest crops and household duties.  Her first job was helping the Bill Assman family, feeding harvesters, cooking, cleaning and milking cows.  Emma then went to Winner where she worked in the Ice Cream Shop.  At age 19 she met Wayne Elliott at a dine/dance restaurant next to the Ice Cream Shop.  Wayne and Emma married in 1943 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner.  To this union four daughters were born.  They divorced in 1963.  Emma married Jerry Smit in 1992. Emma, known by many family and friends as "Shorty" worked numerous jobs in Winner, mainly as a waitress and housekeeping for 35 years.  Employers were very fond of her dedication and fun-loving wit.

Emma enjoyed various social activities at both the Trinity Lutheran Church and Senior Citizens Center in Winner, including Bible study, exercise classes, and an avid card (pitch) player.

Emma was a resident of Winner until October 2006.  At the age of 87 Emma moved to Sunrise Retirement Apartments in Yankton, SD to be closer to her daughters, Nancy and Debra.  This move also made it easier to visit with her out-of-state daughters, Janice and Beverly as transportation was closer for her.    Emma enjoyed playing cards (pitch) with the ladies at the Retirement Apartment and made many friends.

In 2010, age 90, Emma suffered a stroke and was transferred to Watertown, SD, close to her granddaughter, Kory Hall while she under went physical therapy.  In March of 2011 Emma was transferred to Katherine's Place, Fayetteville, Arkansas.  Her daughters, Janice Paine and Debra McKittrick were close in neighboring towns.

Emma enjoyed six years at Katherine's Place.  Her firecracker wit put a smile on everyone's face when times were difficult by many.  Her favorite entertainment was Bingo.  She was not afraid to tell everyone when she won…loudly.  If she lost, well, she made it known "this is a rip off" and laugh.  Putting a smile on everyone's face and creating wonderful memories.  If Katherine's Place didn't have costume parties in the past, she changed that policy.  Daughter Janice was very instrumental in this humor which was enjoyed by all.  Emma was a Senior Beauty Queen while at Katherine's Place taking 1st place and 3rd in the District, justly deserved, as she was both a beauty inside and out. During a pageant Emma was asked the question "what was your favorite thing to do?" and Emma responded with "chasing boys!"

Emma will be remembered by the many staff members at Katherine's Place by starting their difficult day or ending it with "I love the hell out of you".  These simple words made their day manageable.  They were very blessed to have our mother as part of their lives.

Preceding her in death:  Christian and Katherine Brickman (parents), Wayne Elliott (spouse), Jerry Smit (spouse), Robert, Gus, and John Brickman (brothers), Lydia Kaiser, Elsie Phillips, Hilda Wentz and Lilly Zibell (sisters).

Survivors include:  Janice (Ed) Paine, Canehill, AR, Nancy (Roger) Swanson, Tyndall, SD, Beverly Wortman, Pewaukee, WI, Debra (Tom) McKittrick, Tahlequah, OK.  Eleven grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, 3 step great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 1st, 2017 at 11:00AM at the Christ Lutheran Church in Winner, SD.  Burial will follow in the Jerusalem Lutheran Cemetery south of Carter, SD.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to funeral service.