Emilia Dragan

Emilia passed away on June 20, 2021 in Libertyville, Illinois. She was born the youngest of 3 girls in the village of Prunisor, Romania , County Arad On October 27, 1927 the daughter of Andre Fufsa and Maria Oprea . Her early life was spent helping her mother sell items at the local farmer’s market until it was time to begin school. Times were difficult with the war, but small pleasures were the holidays where the smell of food would fill the home. Even to this day, Emilia is remembered for her cooking especially around the holidays and at special occasions. Emilia started to work at her Uncle’s shoe company and later learned how to sew and be a hat maker. She moved to Resita, Romania to work as an Economist. Later, she also learned accounting and became a department leader where she met Victor Dragan who was stationed with the military there in town and worked at the same company. They were married in a small, intimate ceremony at the town hall and celebrated at a friend’s house in June of 1960 after a 10 year courtship. On February 24, 1961 they became parents for the first time to their only daughter, Mirela Delia Gabriela Dragan. They lived in Timisoara and would travel to Victor’s family in Golesti, Romania or to the Black Sea on holidays. Emilia’s brother-in-law lived in the United States, and encouraged Victor and Emilia to apply for a visa to move to the US. Emilia wasn’t crazy about the idea, but decided to move. They finally received permission to travel after 12 years and in 1980 they moved to Aurora, Colorado. Emilia worked at Lawry Air Force Base as a seamstress. In 1982, she became a Grandmother for the first time when Michelle was born, and in 1984 her second Grandchild Jason, was born. In 1984, they moved to Chicago, Illinois in search of better working possibilities. In Chicago, Emilia worked as a seamstress at an airline uniform shop until the family moved to Beach Park, Illinois in 1993 at which time she retired. Emilia loved her family and was happy when she was together with them. She loved her daughter, son-in-law and all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. According to her, the best part about getting older has been to see the family grow. She loved to treat her family to delicious home-cooked meals and decadent desserts for birthdays and holidays. She also loved to watch sports especially tennis and Olympic figure skating and gymnastics. She also enjoyed watching tv – soap operas like All My Children, a favorite, as well as early Elvis Presley movies or classics like Pride and Prejudice. Emilia also loved to read and had over 500 books before she left Romania. Her advice to us to lead a happy life is “to love your kids, love your husband, be happy and be respectful.” Emilia is survived by her daughter; Mirela Delia (William Dean) Ragar of Beach Park, IL; grandchildren; Michelle LeAnn (Christian) Ragar Rohrlack of Denmark, Jason Dean Ragar of Beach Park, Emily Ann Ragar of Grand Haven, Michigan, Sarah Ashley Ragar of Beach Park, IL, Sean William Ragar of Beach Park, IL; great-grandchildren; Angela Gabriella Ragar, Alannah Grace Bruchtrup, Audrey Elizabeth Ragar-Isch, Aidan Nathaniel Buchtrup, Alexander Ray Ragar Rohrlack, Alaric Leopold Ragar Rohrlack; nephews; George Micinic, Michael Dragan, Cornel Todor; niece Tammie Dragan. She is preceded in death by her husband; parents; and sisters Elena Oprea, Maria Todor.