Emelia Marie Johnson-Tabakoff, 63, of rural Elizabeth, IL, passed away Wednesday, September 10, 2014, at the Denver Hospice, in Denver, CO, after valiantly battling a rare form of ovarian cancer for four years.

Funeral services will be at 11 A/M, on Friday, September 19, 2014, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, in Schapville, IL, with Pastor Barb Rapp officiating. Burial will be in Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be after 10 A/M, on Friday, September 19, 2014, at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

Emelia was born to Emil and Gladys Johnson, in DeKalb, IL, on September 18, 1950. She grew up helping her family farm, and was able to attend Northern Illinois Univeristy by virtue of receiving a scholarship. After graduation, she worked for DeKalb Biologics and then at the University of Illinois School of Medicine as a Research Associate, where she met her husband, Boris Tabakoff. They moved to Bethesda, MD, where she worked for the National Institute of Health, and completed her Doctor of Pharmacy degree. After moving to Colorado, she practiced pharmacy at The Children's Hospital.

She never lost her love of farming and of animals, and in 1999 enticed her husband into buying their first two cows for their land in Schapville, IL, and now her breeding stock is servicing herds in many counties in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and beyond.

She also loved horses, and she and her husband bred the 2012 Morgan Hunter-Pleasure World Champion Stallion. She amazed everyone who knew her with her strength and resilience.

Emelia is survived by her husband, Boris; her brother, Warren Johnson; her sister, Claudia Hoffman; her two (2) nieces; and her many friends.

A Memorial Fund has been established at the Galena State Bank, Galena, IL, for gifts to Emelia's Fund for Ovarian Cancer Research.

The Miller & Steinke Funeral Home, Scales Mound, IL, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com.