Sr. Mary Elaine Braden

Sister Elaine Braden, 93, of Victoria, died May 28, 2015. She was born February 13, 1922, in Mentz, Texas to Rochus G. and Louise Wendel Braden. She was a Catholic and a member of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. She received her elementary education at Mentz Public School and then attended Jones Creek School until ninth grade and graduated from El Campo High School in 1940. She entered Nazareth Convent September 5, 1943, became a postulant on December 8, 1943. She received the habit of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on August 27, 1944 and made her first profession of vows on August 28, 1945.

Sister was awarded a B.A. Degree with a major in English and a minor in Spanish from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio and received a Permanent Texas Elementary Teacher Certificate.

Sister Elaine served as an educator in the following schools: Saints Cyril and Methodius School in Cistern, Saints Peter and Paul School in Frelsburg, Hostyn School near La Grange, Holy Trinity School in Corn Hill, Sacred Heart School in Hallettsville, Sacred Heart School in La Grange, and Nazareth Academy in Victoria. She also served as librarian at Nazareth Academy for 11 years. After moving to Incarnate Word Convent in 1998 she reached out to others in the Gift Shop, the Portress Office, and dining room. In 2012 she was placed in the healthcare on oxygen and her ministry as convent librarian continued until the day she died. She enjoyed playing cards and continued reaching out to others through her loving communications and beautiful smile.

She was preceded in death by her Parents; a baby brother; her brothers, Msgr. Leroy Braden and Leonard Braden; brother/sister-in-law, Leon and Mary Lee Braden and her sister/brother-in-law, Mary Louise and Martin Hacker.

Survivors include her brother/sister-in-law, William and Connie Braden and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

On Monday, June 1, 2015, a Visitation and a Scriptural Rosary will be held at 3:00 p.m. and a Wake Service with Evening Praise and Sharing of Memories will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Incarnate Word Convent.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Incarnate Word Convent on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. Burial will follow at Catholic Cemetery No. 3.

Pallbearers will be Robert Hacker, David Hacker, James Hacker, Kurt Hacker, Keith Hacker, and Paul Braden.

Memorials may be made to Incarnate Word Convent, Hospice of South Texas or donor's choice.

Arrangements are with Colonial Funeral Home, Victoria, 361-578-3535. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com