Mrs. Elaine Severin, formerly of Evanston, IL, passed away at her residence on Delaware Avenue in Grafton, WI early Wednesday morning, May 4, 2016. She was 93 years old. Elaine was born in Chicago, IL, on October 20, 1922, daughter of James Blaine and Edith Johnson Hoover. She attended Evanston public schools and went on to attend Northwestern University.
Elaine served during World War II as a US Navy Wave at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Washington DC. She was united in marriage with Warren LeeSeverin on June 4, 1949 at Howes Memorial Chapel at Northwestern University. Elaine was patriotic and was proud of her husband’s and her three brothers’ service during WWII, while she humbly acknowledged her own service as a Navy Wave.
Elaine and Warren lived in Evanston where she worked at Evanston Township High School where she loved supporting students to better themselves. Warren preceded her in death in 1975. Mrs. Severin moved to Grafton in 2010 to be closer to her family.
Elaine had a loving and generous heart. She was always interested in people and their lives. Her life’s mission was helping people and leaving the world a better place. She was a loving mother and grandmother, and loved staying connected with extended family and friends. Her open and caring spirit deeply touched all of those with whom she came in contact. She adopted into her heart, as family, many others over her lifetime including neighbors, co-workers, friends of family members, and caregivers.
Elaine had a keen and curious mind and was an avid reader. She also loved to write and paint. As an environmentalist she cared deeply about protecting the environment and routinely contributed to the work of environmental organizations.
Elaine is survived by her four children: Warren (Jonatha Brown) Severin of Phoenix, AZ, Blaine (Kathryn Graessley) Severin of Okemos, MI, Carol Severin of Berkley, CA and Katharine (Steven) Jarm of Port Washington, WI. She is further survived by nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sister-in-law Edith Hoover of Northbrook, IL, nieces, nephews, other family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband and three brothers: Blaine Hoover, Harwood (the late Jerry) Hoover and Bruce (the late Suzanne) Hoover.
Funeral Services will be held at 1 pm on Wednesday, May 11 at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2515 Central Park Ave, Evanston, IL. Pastor Michael Kirby will preside. She will be laid to rest with Military Honors beside her husband at Memorial Park in Skokie, IL. The family will receive visitors at the CHURCH on Wednesday, May 11, from 12-1PM.
If desired, memorials in Elaine’s name may be made to the Return the Sturgeon Project at River Edge Nature Center, PO Box 26, Newburg, WI 53060.
The Eernisse Funeral Home in Port Washington, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.
“ I love you all, that’s why I live.”