Memorial service planned for Emma Mertens, 8-year-old girl with inspirational love for dogs

By: CBS 58 Newsroom

Posted: Nov 19, 2019 5:05 PM CDT

See Also Emma Mertens, 8-year-old Hartland girl with rare brain tumor, passes away

HARTLAND, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A memorial service has been planned for Emma Mertens, an 8-year-old Hartland girl who captured the country's attention with her love for dogs.

Emma passed away on Sunday, Nov. 17. The young girl was living with an inoperable brain tumor. Her wish to get pictures of dogs went viral. Emma and her family received an outpouring of support; thousands of letters and dog pictures came in from around the world.

The memorial service will be held for Emma on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. at Spring Creek Church, located at N35 W22000 W. Capitol Drive in Pewaukee. A visitation will follow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to wear blue, Emma's favorite color, or their "Team Emma" t-shirts.

In lieu of gifts and flowers, Emma's family asks you keep her memory alive by supporting her foundation at www.emmalovesdogs.org.

"Through all of this battle, all Emma wanted to do was spread kindness and help animals," a Facebook post for Emma reads.

Emma's service will be streamed on her Facebook page.