God welcomed Emilija Pretkelis (nee Schmidt), age 97, home on September 4, 2023. She has been reunited with her husband of 68 years, Augustas; beloved son, Walter; daughter-in-law, Ann; brothers Albert and Richard; her parents, Ardèlè and Gustav; and many brothers and sisters-in-law. She is survived by her son, Algird (ex-wife, Carol); grandchildren, Walter (Barbara), Geoffrey (Jane), Elizabeth Pretkelis-Heaton (David), James (Lesley), and Margaret Rush (Brett); great-grandchildren Neil, Alexa, Ren, Ben, Mallory, Brooklyn, Lucas, Lacey, Navaeh, and Nicholas; sister, Lydia; dear friend, Irene Wozniak; many nieces and nephews; and her devoted pooch, Happy. She immigrated to Chicago from Lithuania after WWII, where she loved and sacrificed for her family, became a citizen, worked hard, smiled often, became fluent in five languages, made the world's best kugelis, knitted, sewed, and gardened. She overcame many struggles and tragedies in her long life but saw each day as a blessing.  She is deeply missed.

Visitation Monday, September 11 from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Funeral Tuesday, September 12, starting with Chapel Prayers at 10:30 am at the Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 W. 127th Street, Crestwood, to Incarnation Catholic Church, 5757 W. 127th Street, Crestwood, for an 11:00 am Mass. Interment St. Casimir Cemetery, 4401 W. 111th Street, Chicago. For more info:  www.becvarfuneralhome.com or (708) 824-9000