Obituary of Emilie Kanitz

Emilie D. Kanitz, 89, of Saginaw, died peacefully on February 10, 2026 at Sunrise Senior Living in Shelby Township, MI. Emilie was born in Lima, OH to the late Jean V. and Mildred (Murray) DeWeese. She married James D. Kanitz on June 25, 1960 in Delphos, Ohio. Emilie received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan University, was a member of Gamma Phi Beta, sorority, and Twin W honorary. She received a Master of Arts from Michigan State University, and Master of Arts from Central Michigan. Emilie taught in public schools for 30 years in Petersburg, OH, Traverse City, Birch Run and Saginaw, MI. She was a lifelong learner, educator and a committed volunteer.

Emilie believed in community service and was an active leader in countless organizations during the 60 years she lived in Saginaw. She was always willing to serve as an officer or board member and often her involvement resulted in life-long friendships. She served as president of Women’s Fellowship and President of the Board of Trustees at her church, former member of AAUW and its state board, secretary of the East Side Soup Kitchen board, treasurer of the Friends of the Library board, a member and past president of PEO chapter AH since 1976, and was on the Saginaw Community Foundation granting committee, to name a few. In 2014, she was named Saginawian of the Year for her dedication to service.

Moss never grew on Emilie and even in her free time, she enjoyed activities that gave pleasure to others; baking her family’s famous German cookie recipes, gardening, knitting sweaters, hats and mittens (so many mittens!) for her family and for charities. She kept herself agile through her daily walks, as a member of multiple bridge groups, bowling and golf leagues, and swimming at the YMCA.

Emilie met her husband Jim on a blind date. A tale which she always enjoyed retelling when the family was gathered. Over the years, Emilie and Jim enjoyed traveling and visited many states in the US as well as travels to Europe, USSR (Russia and Ukraine), Estonia, Czech Republic, Ireland (‘Don’t forget your Irish roots!’, she always used to say), and a trip of a lifetime on an African safari. They also had decades long season tickets to the Saginaw Symphony. Emilie played french horn and piano and her love of music she passed on to her family.

A heartfelt thank you to the Reminiscence staff at Sunrise Senior Living for their tender care over the last 18 months. And the nurses at Gentiva Hospice for caring for Emilie in her final days.

Emilie is survived by her children, Kristin Kanitz (Mike Wygocki) of Madison, WI and Dan Kanitz of Shelby Twp, MI; grandchildren, Austen Wygocki of Minneapolis, MN, Jace Kanitz and Drew Kanitz of Shelby Twp, MI; her sister Suzanne (DeWeese) D’Ettorre of Westlake, OH and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Emilie was preceded in death by her husband, James and brother, William.

Family and friends will gather at Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd., Saginaw, MI 48603, on Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the celebration of life service at 1:00 p.m. Rev. Amy Terhune will officiate. Private burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The East Side Soup Kitchen in Saginaw or the Saginaw Symphony, two organizations that were meaningful to Emilie.