Elizabeth Catherine Stangle Emmert, Born Nov 3, 1936 heaven bound April 13, 2015. 

Born a true farmer's daughter of John L. Stangle and Catherine Marie Stangle, both deceased, she learned hard work and dedication to her dreams watching her parents struggle to live the life they wanted.  Her younger brother John M. Stangle, deceased, and her remained close and shared a love of music and teaching even though his life was spent tending to the family farm. 

Elizabeth (Betty) left Vincennes Lincoln high school with a dream to be a music performance educator and attended Indiana State Teachers College, now Indiana State University.  After graduation she left for her first teaching position at Clear Springs High School and soon after found her way to Haubstadt Indiana and her roots were set.  She could not have predicted the impact the move to the small German community would have on her whole life and the lives of so many more.  Almost immediately the news was out that there was a new female High School Band Director and while marching her band through town she would cross paths with the school's biggest sports fan and local drug store owner, Edwin (Bernie) Emmert now deceased.  They fell in love and the town bachelor was married to the town's new band director June 3, 1961.

Those first few classes may not have been able to predict the legacy Mrs. Emmert would have on music performance throughout the state over the next seven decades but looking back they would realize that they were the start of something special.  As her family grew, Grady came first, she decided to step away from her teaching role and take on a role as a mother, private teacher, and Drum and Bugle Corp leader.  Music performance and love of her students would be the second most important thing in her life trailing only behind her family.

Her children Grady, Greta, Pete, Dwight, Ron and Jay would watch their mother one by one teach music to anyone with any musical interest.  For Betty it was more than just knowing how to play, it was about enjoying putting on the best performance.  She loved the solo and ensemble time of year when all the work her students put in would be rewarded.  Thousands of gold medals are in keepsake boxes that have her memory attached.

People will remember her as a choir director at St. James Church in Haubstadt and at Sts Peter and Paul in Haubstadt, and Mater Dei High School in Evansville.  She played her clarinet as an active member of the Old Dam Band, Vincennes City Band, and Wolfgang Orchestra.  She did what needed to be done for her family and as a farmer's daughter even spent time behind the wheel as an over-the-road truck driver, nurse, and late night cashier at Lakeview Truck Stop.  Her idea to start a Front Porch Polka Band during the Sommerfest has become part of the scene during the town's June celebration and she loved to have her family and friends play with her.  

Her health issues would not keep her from giving private lessons and occasionally consult for her children's music programs and their students' programs.  For as life would have it Elizabeth would raise five music educators of her own and six teachers total.  Through them her impact would continue to grow and influence music throughout the state on Indiana and beyond.  The list is long, she would list them if you asked, of her students that went on the major in music in college.  It is hard to count the number of recitals, marching bands, drum and bugle corps, church choirs and Christmas sing-a-longs that had a little of her spirit ringing out over the years.

From the kid who wanted to be the next great trumpet player who became a better tuba player she loved them all.  And to the generations who came to her and asked her to help not only teach them but help raise them, you helped fulfill her to the final days.  Thank you from her family.

She leaves behind her children and their spouses and 14 grandchildren.  And anyone who ever felt like they were part of the family.  Her Front Porch Polka Band will play Saturday evening April 18 to celebrate her legacy.

Visitation will be from 4-8 PM CST (family are welcome at 3 pm) on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at Wade Funeral Home, 119 S Vine St. Haubstadt IN 47639 with a Rosary service beginning at 7:30 PM CST  Services will be at 11AM CST Monday April 20 at Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Church with a voluntary recital starting at 10 am.  Burial will be immediately after in the church cemetery.  A Wake luncheon will be held after at the school cafeteria.