Emma Jean (Cordier) Rouillier

On April 17, Emma Jean (Cordier) Rouillier’s wait was over, as her husband Sam arrived on his horse wearing his white cowboy hat to take Emma Jean to her final home. After saying good-bye to her loving family of all ages, Emma Jean peacefully joined Sam and the rest of her family waiting for her in heaven. While her family and friends will miss her, they are happy that her pain is over and she is now dancing with Sam for eternity.

She devoted her life to giving love and compassion. Having her for a mother was the greatest blessing that God could have ever given her children. She was the foundation of their home and the anchor of their lives. To her family, her love was constant and unconditional.

Emma Jean was born on Oct. 28, 1930 in St. Ignatius to Victor and Pearl (Rein) Cordier. Emma Jean lived in the foothills of the beautiful Mission mountains with her parents and eleven brothers and sisters. At an early age, Emma Jean learned the value of a strong work ethic. Emma Jean worked at the Holy Family Hospital in St. Ignatius, and also worked for multiple doctors, before working for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe as Clerk of Court for 17 years where she made many friends and acquaintances.

On April 29, 1951, Emma Jean married the love of her life Sam Rouillier. The happy couple lived in the house that Sam built next to his parents. There they raised their three children, Bill, Jill and Tim. In time, Emma Jean and Sam welcomed much loved and often spoiled grandchildren into their lives. Randy, Hollie, Matt, Tanner and Ray gave Emma Jean her greatest pleasure. She loved being an active part of their lives and also in the lives of her many nieces and nephews.

Together Emma Jean and Sam enjoyed fishing, attending sporting events, concerts and fairs. Many family members often cramped into the car to go with Sam and Emma Jean to numerous fairs around the state. Their favorite vacation spot was definitely Mesquite, Nev.

Music was a major part of Emma Jean’s life. In her youth, she was a member of the Snake River Outlaw Band, where she was the lead singer, even appearing on television and the radio. Throughout her life, she continued to share her love of music with her family. During the last decade, she always purchased the “Top Ten” hits which her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews sang along to. Throughout her life she followed the music career of her son Tim, and is and will always remain his biggest and most supportive fan.

Emma Jean loved flowers, especially roses. Family and friends enjoyed visiting Emma Jean’s warm and cheerful home with her beautiful roses and vibrant flowerbeds adding color and beauty to the front yard. Emma Jean was often seen outside working in her flowerbeds, if not outside you could find her in the kitchen, where she loved to bake pies and her famous almond rocha.

Family was very important to Emma Jean. She loved having her family celebrate life at her home. Many dinners, card games, dice games and good times were enjoyed by Emma Jean both at her home and the homes of others. Emma Jean loved family time with her brothers, sisters and their families.

In May of 2000, Emma Jean lost her best friend and husband, Sam. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her infant brother John, brother Joseph, and her sisters, Leona and Geneva. Emma Jean is survived by her son Bill, his son Randy and step-son Jimmy, her daughter Jill and her children, Hollie and Tanner, her son Tim and his wife Peggy and children Matt and Samantha Ray. After Sam’s death, Emma Jean often commented how much comfort and joy her grandchildren added to her daily life and she often referred to Tanner as the bright spot of her day.

She is also survived by brothers, Victor, Leonard, Rusty, Fred and Raymond and her sisters, Francie and Jerry. Nothing pleased Emma Jean more than having the entire Cordier and Rouillier family together.

Many nieces and nephews will also miss their aunt who always remembered their birthdays with a card and with her love.

A celebration of Emma Jean’s life will be held on Saturday, April 30 at 11 a.m., at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church with a luncheon to follow in the basement of the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Tim Ryan Scholarship or Vic and Pearl Cordier Scholarship.

Arrangements are under the care of the Foster Funeral Home and Crematory in St. Ignatius.