Emma Katcher

EMMA ‘BEVERLY’ KATCHER July 7, 1923 – Feb. 10, 2025

Emma passed away on February 10, 2025, peacefully at home with family. She was born on July 7, 1923, in Mora, NM. She was the 2nd oldest of 5 children, 4 girls and 1 boy.

Emma’s life started out during some tough times. Her family had lost both of her grandpas within a week due to the Spanish Flu pandemic and losing her father when she was only 7 years old. Her mother had to go find work in Santa Fe, NM to support her children and had to leave Emma and her siblings in the care of her grandma who also lived in Mora. While living with their grandma they attended school, and she taught them many skills that helped them be self-sufficient as they got older.

When Emma was 19 years old she read about the need for employment in Los Angeles, CA to support the cause for WWII. She bought a bus ticket and off she went all by herself. Once she became established, she saved money and helped her 3 sisters move from Santa Fe to Los Angeles to join her.

While living in Los Angeles she meet her husband Joe Katcher. They meet one night at a dance hall while he was on Navy Shore leave. It was love at first sight. Emma & Joe were married shortly after on June 9, 1946. She would tell people that her troubles were over after she meet Joe. They were married just 2 months shy of 70 years when Joe passed away. Emma would always say 70 years wasn’t long enough.

Emma & Joe move to Los Alamos, NM in 1962 when Joe was hired on by Los Alamos National Laboratory. Emma would take care of kids of mostly hardship cases where the families couldn’t afford childcare, but she would just tell them “Give what you can, it’s ok”.

Emma and Joe along with their 3 sons Joe, David & Gary would help in their endeavor of building the families 1st home, which lead to many more home builds giving their sons a lifelong craftsmanship.

When Joe retired from LANL he and Emma would travel all over visiting family and friends. They loved having their adventures and they would never miss a USS Pensacola ship reunion, which were held all over the United States. In their later years they settled in Rio Rancho, NM.

Emma is survived by her 3 sons Joe, David & Gary, 7 grandchildren & many great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:15 pm on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at Santa Fe National Cemetery at the Pavillion.

The family would like to send a special thanks to Emma’s care takers Michelle & Arlene and Los Alamos Visiting Nurse’s.

The family of Emma Katcher has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley.   www.devargasfuneral.com   505-747-7477