Emma Estrada

Mass of Christian Burial for Emma Estrada, 86, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora. Burial will follow at Holy Family Catholic Cemetery.
She died Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at her home.
She was born Jan. 3, 1925, in Antwerp, Belgium, the daughter of Josef and Maria Tink. She accomplished her education in Europe in Flemish, French, German and English.
She moved to Eudora in July 1946. She attended Kansas University, 1947-1948, and became an American citizen on Dec. 14, 1948.
Mrs. Estrada had a career of advocacy and worked for many nonprofit organizations in Lawrence, as well as for the U.S. Army while her husband was in the military service for many years.
She attended the Hatha Yoga College (1970-1973) in Brussels, Belgium, and taught yoga in Belgium, Germany, Spain and Lawrence. She attended the Transcendental Meditation Advanced Teacher’s Training Course at Research University Brunnen, Switzerland, and became a teacher of TM in 1975.
She was a member of the Polar Bear Swim Club in Antwerp, a water safety instructor in 1949, and director of the HQ’s United States Army and 7th Army AYA swimming program. She was also a lay Eucharistic minister, green belt of judo and volunteered at DCCCA. She taught yoga for 21 years at Lawrence Arts Center, Senior Center and for Parks and Recreation. She retired in 2006. She received numerous awards for her lifelong efforts of advocacy.
She married Frank Estrada on Oct. 6, 1945 in Antwerp, Belgium. She was the first war bride of Antwerp of World War II. Her husband survives of the home.
Other survivors include two daughters, Emilia R. Drehman, Bettendorf, Iowa, and Anita P. Carlson, Lawrence; one son, Mario F. Estrada, Menorca, Spain; a sister, Anna Boidin, Belgium; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and four children, Maria and Josef, infant daughter and son in 1946, son Daniel in 1974, and son Jeff 2008.
A parish rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. Sunday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, after which the family will meet friends until 6 p.m.
The family suggests memorials to Hospice — Sunflower Healthcare and Holy Family Catholic Cemetery Maintenance Fund, sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Online condolences may be sent at warrenmcelwain.com.