By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Emma E. Dion Subler served as a role model for today's military women, wives and mothers. She was a World War II U.S. Army nurse, a wife of 60 years, and a mother of six daughters.

She died Wednesday at the Hospice of Cincinnati at Mercy Franciscan Hospital Western Hills. The Green Township resident was 83.

Born in San Antonio, Mrs. Subler graduated from Incarnate Word College there in 1943.

Marion E. Subler, who would become her husband, had been drafted into the Army and was stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. One evening, he attended a USO dance where he spotted a group of nurses. He thought Mrs. Subler "was the prettiest one of the bunch" so he asked her to dance. From then on, they both attended the dances and eventually married in 1943 in Phoenix.

A few days after her wedding, Mrs. Subler, then a second lieutenant who had joined the Army to be with her husband, was shipped to Europe.

About a week after the June 6, 1944, Normandy invasion in France, Mrs. Subler's 32nd Evacuation Hospital unit followed. She worked near the battlefields in a tent hospital, which suffered several German machinegun attacks. Her unit followed Gen. George Patton's 3rd Army Corps as it fought through France, Belgium, and Austria.

She was later stationed in Salzburg, Austria, and was able to take photographs of Adolph Hitler's stronghold, Eagle's Nest.

After her children were in school, she returned to nursing at Good Samaritan Hospital to help pay for school tuition. She worked for 18 years and retired in 1977.

Retirement brought travel to 48 states and Canada for the Sublers. One of Mrs. Subler's hobbies was sewing and she made numerous attendant and bridal gowns for her daughters' weddings. She also served as a Brownie leader and was a member of the Ladies Sodality of Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

One of her daughters, Laura Herrmann of White Oak, remembers her mother always had a smile even though she had so many hardships.

"She kept fighting and made it against all odds. She always pulled through," said Herrmann. "She was low-keyed and had an inner strength and had a lot of spirit and drive. She taught us all compassion - she was a wonderful mother."

Preceding her in death were her son, George; her brother, David Dion; her sister, Marie Pearson; and a granddaughter, Lizzie Suer.

In addition to her husband and daughter, survivors include five other daughters, Jeanne Kohls of West Chester, Peggy Dangel of Groesbeck, Annette Suer of Westwood, Kathy Baker of Harrison, and Mary Hahn of Covedale; 33 grandchildren; and 21 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Saturday in Our Lady of Lourdes Gathering Space, 2832 Rosebud Drive, with the Mass of Christian burial following at 11 a.m. in the church. Meyer and Geiser is serving the family.

Memorials: Our Lady of Lourdes School Fund, 5835 Glenway Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45238 or spiritual remembrances.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com.