Emma Buri

On January 8, 2024, at the age of 93, Emma Buri departed this life to go home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She had been longing for heaven for some time and now, just before her 94th birthday, she got her wish.
Emma Buri, (maiden name Baenziger) was born in the Appenzell (Innerrhoden) canton of Switzerland to Albert Baenziger and Anna Baenziger-Jaeger, growing up in the village of Reute. There she went to school until she took various jobs, such as factory work involving embroidery, manufacturing optical devices, as well as packing and delivering produce. She had two older siblings; a brother, Albert Jr. and a sister, Anna. She also grew up in a Reformed church and was confirmed April 14, 1946.
In 1955, while riding on a train, she met Robert Buri, a Swiss man who had been living in America since 1952 and was now vacationing back in Switzerland. He was riding in the seat behind her and she initially thought he was British because she overheard his comment to himself, "Hmm - ponytail." To make a longer story short, they met, courted, and corresponded until Emma came to America. They were married in Downey, California in 1957.
Emma and Robert "Bob" had three sons: Ed, Mark, and Sam. Because of the excessive pollution in the Los Angeles area at that time, a doctor recommended the family move to northern California, or southern Oregon. They chose Roseburg, Oregon because a friend of theirs knew John and Katherine Amacher who would become good friends. Also, Roseburg was not known for earthquakes or extremes in weather.
They purchased a 15-acre farm on Cleveland Rapids Road, out in Garden Valley, and started up the "Swiss Nursery." At the same time, Bob worked at US Plywood (later Champion International). The 1962 Columbus Day storm trashed their newly built plastic houses and the 1964 Christmas flood took out their barn, cattle, and nearly their home too. By God's grace, the family survived the flood and was rescued by boat the following morning.
Emma, along with Bob and the boys, went forward at an "altar call" where an invitation was given for people to trust Jesus Christ to be their personal Lord and Savior. Prior to this, she had been a committed "Churchian," someone who participates in church, but isn't truly in a born-again relationship with the Lord.
Emma lived a full life. She is survived by her three sons, and their families, including 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren: Ed and wife Suzie, with grandson Greg and granddaughter Julie, Mark and wife Stephanie, with granddaughters Julia, Heidi, and Siena, Sam and wife Sarah, with granddaughters Katherine, Stephanie, and Michelle.
She was well known for her quick wit, always having some poem or saying in ready response to someone's comment or concern. She also loved compiling annual pages of wise sayings and bits of practical knowledge for her grandchildren. Furthermore, Emma had several natural herbal remedies for sicknesses and conditions that loved ones had. Together with Bob, she also grew a large vegetable garden each year from which they would harvest many good things to give to loved ones, widows, and anyone in need.
Finally, Emma was not one who wanted to be up in front of people, preferring to remain in the background and serve quietly from there. She did not desire a large memorial service in her honor, so the family will simply do its own quiet celebration of her life together in the near future.