Elaine Woike

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

It is with profound sadness that her grieving family announces the passing of Elaine (Bowman) Woike on Thursday, September 26, 2013, at Good Samaritan Retirement Community in Denton, TX. Elaine had just returned home from the hospital after a surgical procedure. Elaine was tired so she lay down at home in her bed. Elaine's husband Otto and daughter Lois were with her when she decided it was time to embark on a new adventure.

Elaine, the first child of L. Alvin and Helena Dorothea (Tepker) Bowman, was born in Hamilton, Ohio, on October 7, 1928. Elaine was a life long Lutheran who attended Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hamilton and later Augsburg Lutheran Church in Cincinnati.

Elaine graduated with honors with a BS in Chemistry from Valparaiso University in 1950. At the start of Elaine's freshman year her professor told Elaine that she was wasting her time because all she was going to do is get married and have children.

Thankfully from her kids' perspective Elaine chose to do exactly that but not before she made her imprint on the business world. Following graduation Elaine was hired to coordinate various projects at GE's famed Corporate Research and Development Center in Schenectady, NY. While there she worked on the hydraulic system for the landing gear and alternator system for the B52 bomber-a plane that is still in use by the US Air Force today. Elaine still has the picture of that first aircraft proudly displayed at home today.

A few years later Elaine became the first woman in the State of Ohio to teach high school at the Lebanon (Ohio) Correctional Facility. The thought was to educate the male inmates and to provide them with something to rebuild their lives. Elaine taught Math and German to the inmates. For many years Elaine heard from many of the men who had "made it" on the outside. They all cited Elaine's inspiration, drive, toughness and kindness in helping them move past their mistakes and make a better life for themselves and their families. Elaine on many occasions helped their families by providing food and other assistance.

Later Elaine was asked by the Hamilton, Ohio, school system to start the Daytime Center for Girls and serve as its principal. The Daytime Center was supposed to provide a place where pregnant teenagers would go to school and receive only the minimum amount of education required by law. Elaine refused to give up on any of her "girls." The school system would only provide obsolete books for the Center. Elaine and the Hamilton High School secretary and partner in crime (Elaine's cousin Carolyn Bowman Schweinfest) managed to "obtain" the latest textbooks for her students. Through Elaine's hard work and the hard work of the dedicated teachers at the Daytime Center many of her students graduated from high school and went on to successful careers. The Daytime Center had a higher graduation rate than the graduation rates of other high schools in the area. The Daytime Center became a concept that has been copied in public schools throughout the US.

But most importantly Mom loved being a Mom and later a Grandma. After Mom retired due to her hearing loss she devoted her energies to her kids and grandkids. Going to Grandma and Grandpa's is always a great adventure and learning experience. Grandma and Grandpa took the kids all over the country and taught them many valuable lessons in life. Four of the Grandkids accompanied them to Europe during a school year. Grandma prepared lesson plans for each grandkid and stuck to their school schedule during the trip. While there they also learned about European history and how to get around in a place where no English was spoken. All four grandkids came back transformed.

Mom believed that angels are there with you throughout your life to protect you and guide you through the good times as well as through the tough times. Mom was not someone who wore her faith on her sleeve. Yet throughout our home you would occasionally see an angel on a shelf or in an unexpected place.

Mom leaves behind a grieving family including her husband of 64 years Otto Woike, children Louis (Debra) Woike, David (Betsy Morgan) Woike, Lois (Chuck) Villarreal, eleven grandchildren (Erin, Dave, Maria, Danielle, Tim, David, Andrea, Melissa, Deanna, Robbie and Stephanie), brother Larry (Ann) Bowman, sister Jeanne Winter and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Mom is preceded in death by her parents and sister Geraldine (Shirley) Newman.

A reception will be held at Augsburg Lutheran Church, 11676 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati, OH, 45231 on Saturday, October 26, 2013, at 3:00 PM followed by a celebration of Elaine's life beginning at 4:00 PM. Pastor Grace Werzinske of Augsburg will officiate.

In lieu of flowers her family requests that Elaine be remembered through contributions to The Valpo Fund, Valparaiso University, 1100 Campus Drive South, Valparaiso, IN 46383 or to Augsburg Lutheran Church.

Today Mom is taking flying lessons and testing out her wings for the first time. Mom is also hearing the many sounds that for so long she has missed due to her deafness. For that her heartbroken family is very thankful.

Mom, may your buddies the Angels lead you into Paradise.

Visitation

3:00 Saturday, October, 26th at Augsburg Lutheran Church

Service

4:00 Saturday, October, 26th at Augsburg Lutheran Church