January 18, 1920 – January 20, 2015

Bernadine Elaine Joyce Silverwise, a long-time resident of Kingwood, TX, passed away at home on January 20, 2015, at the age of 95.

Born in Minneapolis, MN, Elaine was the first of five children born to Clara and Henry Hoganson. She spent most of her childhood in Marshalltown, IA, with her siblings Shirlee, Delores, George and Roberta.

Elaine served in the US Navy during WWII as a secretary to an Admiral. After returning home, Elaine was introduced to Frank Silverwise who was a college friend of her brother George.  She and Frank married January 21, 1951, in Marshalltown, IA.  They had six sons: John, Francis, Patrick, Michael, Stephen and Thomas.

Frank’s job kept her and the family on the move, from Iowa to Michigan and then to Texas in 1960 “where it was warm.”  Denison, TX was considered home until 1976.   While in Denison, Elaine was active in many activities at St. Patrick Catholic Church and St Xavier’s Catholic School. She also worked as a secretary for a prominent Denison attorney. She enjoyed playing bridge with her friends, the piano and her puppy dogs.  And, in what little spare time she had raising a family of rowdy boys, she also took courses at Grayson County College.

For a short time they also lived in North St Louis, MO and Scottsdale, AZ. But Texas was calling, and in 1978 Elaine and Frank (who lovingly called her his ‘Lotus Blossom’) moved to Kingwood, TX to be closer to family. At that time she opened American Passenger Travel Agency in Humble, TX.  She and Frank traveled all over the world. She especially enjoyed going to Italy and visiting the Vatican and going to the beautiful beaches in Cancun, Mexico. Upon retirement in 1984, she volunteered at St. Martha Catholic Church aiding in Martha's Kitchen and primarily working in the elderly outreach ministries.

Frank passed in 2005, and in 2006 Elaine went to live with Francis (Janet) in Atascocita, TX, and in 2007 with Patrick (Pamela) in Humble, TX until her passing.

Elaine is preceded in death by her husband Frank, son Stephen, and sisters Shirlee Jones and Delores Phelan. Elaine is survived by her siblings George (Mary) Hoganson of Chicago, IL, Roberta (James) Mead of Marshalltown, IA; children John (Monya) of Irving, TX, Francis (Janet) of Atascocita, TX, Patrick (Pamela) of Humble, TX, Michael (Elizabeth McCracken) of New York, NY, and Thomas (Phyllis) of Humble, TX; grandchildren Kimberly (Jacob) Elias, Misty Silverwise, Neal Silverwise and Stephen Silverwise; great grandchildren Samuel Silverwise-Nelson and Nohemy Elias.  She is loved and will be deeply missed by her family.

At her passing, per her wishes, Elaine's mortal remains were donated to science. After receipt of her ashes a Funeral Mass and interment occurred on Thursday, April 9, 2015. The Mass was at 10:00 AM CDT at St. Martha Catholic Church, 4301 Woodridge Parkway, Porter, TX 77365. Interment was 12:30 PM at the Houston National Cemetery (buried with Frank Silverwise at Columbarium Cremains C6, Row A, #95), 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038. And a reception for friends and family was held at 2:30 PM hosted at the home of Patrick and Pamela Silverwise, 8211 Sports Haven Dr, Humble, TX 77346.

Condolences, thoughts, favorite memories, stories, photos and videos of Elaine are welcome and may be expressed and shared on-line here (visit the Gallery and Stories Tabs above) or if mailed, send to Patrick Silverwise, PO Box 6747, Kingwood, TX 77325.

It is suggested that memorial donations in Elaine's memory be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.

Please feel free to leave a memorial tribute or story you would like to share about Elaine at http://forevermissed.com/elaine-joyce-silverwise/.