Sherry J. Emenecker

Sherry Jean Emenecker, devoted wife and mother, stepped into the presence of The Lord on Monday, July 29, 2024.  She passed away peacefully in her home with family by her side. Sherry Jean was born on February 19, 1947 in Waterloo, Iowa, the youngest of six children born to Orville and Lucy Backens.  She married Dennis Emenecker on April 22, 1967 in Wausau, Wisconsin, and they shared 57 years of Christ-centered marriage together. Sherry and Dennis moved to Rockford, Illinois in 1976 and began their 30+ year ministry that included work at First Assembly Church, Christian Life Retirement Center, and WQFL radio station. For a majority of those years, Sherry worked as the Administrative Assistant for the youth ministry at the church.  Sherry’s sweet spirit and joyful nature was extended to hundreds of young people throughout the years.  Her impact on those young people, as well as countless others at the church, has lasted well beyond the years of her employment.  

Sherry’s greatest ministry has been the Christ-like example she has set in her daily life before family and friends.  To know Sherry is to know that she loved The Lord and lived to bring Him glory.  She was a valiant prayer warrior…spending hours each day lifting up the names on her list before her Heavenly Father.  She demonstrated her faith, even to the end, trusting The Lord and His will for her life.  

Beyond the greatest joys of her faith and her family, she enjoyed cooking.  She blessed many with her open heart and an open door with a seat at her table. She also enjoyed working outdoors at their farm in Pecatonica, Illinois and caring for all sorts of creatures, cats and hummingbirds being among her favorites. 

Sherry is survived by her husband, Dennis; their four children, Trent (Natalie) Emenecker of Boynton Beach, Florida, Tonya (Bryan) DeCapite of Auburn, Alabama, Travis (Britta) Emenecker of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Tenille (Chris) Weber of Rockford, Illinois; 12 grandchildren; her twin brother, Terry (Phyllis) Backens; her three sisters, Peggy (Dave) Bargren, Connie Rozier, and Linda (John) Lanferman; as well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Lucy Backens, and her brother, Larry Backens. 

Visitation will be Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 12:30pm to 1:45pm at Redeemer Church, 5501 Windsor Road, Loves Park, Illinois 61111. Memorial Service will immediately follow at 2:00pm.

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