Emma Katherine Bruch McGinnis was born on November 11, 1930, at Electric Springs in Warrensburg, Missouri to Clement August and Mary Elizabeth Theiss Bruch. Her brother, John Francis, was born in 1927, and her sister, Elizabeth Ann, was born in 1929. Emma's parents purchased Electric Springs in 1929. At that time the water in Warrensburg was not safe to drink. Her father sold water from the Upper Spring; he delivered it in glass gallon jugs for five cents apiece. He first used a horse and wagon. Later, her parents bought a Model A Ford, which they drove until 1950, when they bought a Studebaker. Emma and her siblings referred to her parents as "Mother" and "Daddy" which says a lot about their respective personalities.

They were very poor, but Emma's parents raised a large garden, and they canned lots of fruit and vegetables. They always had cows, pigs and chickens and sold milk.

Emma always loved school and reading. When she was young, she rode her bike to the library about once a week. She didn't care if it was uphill all the way there as she could "coast all the way home" with her books.

Emma went to Pershing School, then Foster School, and in 1948 she graduated from Warrensburg High School. When Emma's sister, Elizabeth, was a senior in high school, she persuaded the school board to start a girls' basketball team. Emma was on the team her junior and senior year and was one of three forwards ("the only ones who got to shoot baskets"). Her high point game was 23 points.

In 1949, the McGinnis family moved to Warrensburg. William James, Jr., "Bill" and his brother bought Warrensburg Auto Salvage, located directly across Warren Street where Emma lived at Electric Springs. The Bruch family and the McGinnis family all attended Sacred Heart Church.

Emma noticed Bill working in the salvage yard across the street. Bill caught her eye as she began making a habit of reading on the front porch swing, mowing the lawn, and walking to get the mail. She attended St. Mary's College in Leavenworth, KS, during her freshman year. She met

Bill at a cookout hosted by her brother and his wife that summer. Things weren't that serious as she returned to Saint Mary's for her sophomore year. Bill and Emma went on a few dates when he was able to travel to Leavenworth.

Emma's sister Elizabeth had previously entered the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. During her sophomore year, Emma decided she wanted to enter as well, although she was becoming very conflicted about what to do with her life. After many discussions, she made all the necessary clothes to enter the convent. But when she and Bill talked at length at an ice cream social, Emma became more mixed up. She really wanted to go back to college, but she had decided against the convent. However, her family could not afford the tuition, so she began looking for work. She eventually handled payroll for Missouri Public Service.

Bill and Emma continued to date and late that year, Bill proposed to Emma at Lion's Lake. Their wedding took place on April 14, 1951, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warrensburg. They eventually built a basement house on part of the Electric Springs property which was previously pastureland. They moved into the basement in 1954. Emma worked on plans for the main house for 10 years before they moved in in October 1964. Finally, they had enough space for their large family! For all the McGinnis kids, her dream truly became a "home" ... and after more than 70 years, it is still "home".

Their son William J. McGinnis, III "Trey" was born on June 10, 1952. David Bruch was born on August 13, 1953. Their third son, Mark Joseph, was born on December 14, 1957. Their first daughter, Elizabeth Ann, was born on September 30, 1959. Their second daughter, Laura Michele, was born on January 9, 1964. Their youngest daughter, Joan Marie, was born February 23, 1967. In the early 70's Emma began caring for preschoolers and did so for many years. In 1979, Emma was asked to interview for an opening at Trails. Emma began working at the front desk in August of that year, and she retired in 1997 as Branch Manager. Emma also kept the books for "McGinnis Auto Parts" for 40 years.

Emma was a brilliant seamstress. She made her own wedding dress and she sewed the majority of her children's clothes when they were young. She always enjoyed cooking and trying new recipes. Over the years, she was known for her Chicken Cordon Bleu, orange rolls, cinnamon rolls, and several other recipes. For many summers, Bill and Emma played on men's, women's, and couples volleyball teams with friends and family at Grover Park. Emma was a member of Friends of Trails Library and a member of several book groups. She was a past president of the American Legion Auxiliary. For years, she played bridge with several friends, who took turns hosting the monthly event at their homes. She was a recreational runner for many years and ran in a 1OK in 1982. More recently, she enjoyed taking Tai Chi classes and regular Scrabble sessions. For decades, she walked every morning, either around the "circle" (block) as well as all over town, with neighbors and friends. Emma was a voracious reader and couldn't fathom a day going by without a book in progress. Though her body was failing her, Emma's mind remained sharp and intact until the last day. She enjoyed the thrice-weekly Jeopardy sessions at Harmony Gardens with her family sometimes attending, but usually always with her good friend Wes, and led by her favorite person at Harmony, Erin.

Her son David and his wife Paula have always lived in Warrensburg; other family members moved away and moved back, but they were the constant and should be commended as they were there for everything Mom needed for 50 years.

Bill preceded Emma in death on April 16, 2008, two days after their 57 th wedding anniversary. Emma was also preceded in death by her parents and by her brother John F. Bruch in 2002.

Surviving family includes her sister Elizabeth Ann (Sister Noel Bruch), her son Bill (Trey) McGinnis, his wife Ella, granddaughters Natalie and Noga, granddaughter Stacey (Arnold), and great-granddaughter Stella; son David Bruch McGinnis, his wife Paula, grandchildren Aja (Chris) and Kaleb (Hannah) and great-children Carson and Emery; son Mark Joseph McGinnis, his wife Holly; daughter Elizabeth Ann ("Liz") Colclasure, her husband Greg, daughter Laura Michele Mitchell, her husband Doug and grandchildren Tara and Spencer, daughter Joan Marie Mitchell, her husband Tom and grandchildren Trevor (Danielle), Bridget (Dylan) and Cole.

A visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg, Missouri. A graveside service will then follow the visitation at 12:00 p.m. at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Warrensburg. A gathering will be held at Players restaurant in Warrensburg at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Trails Regional Library, 432 Holden Street, Warrensburg MO 64093.