Emma Lou Brandal

     Emma Lou Brandal, age 88, of Ithaca, MI, peacefully passed away Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at Arbor Grove Assisted Living, Alma, MI.
     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, October 3, 2025, with Pastor Brent Beggs officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025, from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M., and again, on Friday beginning at 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery, North Star, MI, at a later date.
     Emmie was born in Hamilton Township, Michigan on July 19, 1937, to Albert Lawrence and Mabel Bell (Agner) Galloway, the middle child of nine. She attended Sickles School and graduated from Ithaca High School with the class of 1955. Emma Lou married Robert George "Bob" Brandal, on July 7, 1956, at Edgewood Church of God. They were blessed with 61 years of marriage, prior to his passing on December 27, 2017.
     Emmie spent many years working for Ithaca Public Schools, her last position with them as secretary of the South Elementary School. Emma operated a daycare out of her home for several years where she made many lifelong friendships. Emmie and Bob fostered many teenagers throughout the years. She enjoyed working in her yard, flower gardening, bible studies, Christian music, and animals, especially her cat.
     She is survived by her daughter Patti Cotter; her grandchildren: Kevin (Brandy) Cotter, and Kari Cotter (Noah Davis); great-grandchildren: Emily Cotter, Jack Cotter, Logan and Blake Funnell, Elizabeth (Elijah) Stoneman and Emily Snow; siblings: Marilyn House, Millie Reeves, and Carl (Joyce) Galloway; and in-laws: Barb (Mike) Kench, Maxine Galloway, Arden Chaffin, and Ron Brandal. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob, her son Rodney, son-in-law Kim Cotter, foster daughter Toni Snow, siblings: Albert Galloway Jr., Allen (June) Galloway, June (Bernie) Demski, Marjorie Chaffin, and Mary Mates, brothers-in-law: Frank Kozeny, Marshall House, and LaVerne Reeves, nephews: Steven Gulick, Kevin Gulick, and Mike Mates, and niece Jane Mayott.
     Memorials may be made to the Ithaca Church of God or the Gratiot County Commission on Aging. Online condolences may be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.