Verna W. Bierschwale

Verna Wander Bierschwale was born on April 15, 1921 in Brookshire, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy W. Bierschwale, her parents Max and Emma Wander, her 3 year old sister Esther, her infant brother Sammy, and beloved sister Geraldine Robertson.

She is survived by her son Pat W. Bierschwale and his wife Karen, daughter Emma Bierschwale Wyatt, grandchildren Kari Bierschwale Cleavinger and husband Mike, Shelli Bierschwale Heaney and husband Sean, and Patrick M. Bierschwale and wife Andrea, and eleven great grandchildren who brought her such joy. She is also survived by her sister in law, Mrs. Pat ( Libby) Bierschwale, cousin Kay King and husband George, and a number of other cousins and nieces and nephews.

Verna was a 1938 graduate of Katy High School where she was on the tennis team. She graduated in 1941 from the University of Texas in Austin with a B.A. in Business. She was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority while in college, and was a very active Alumnae for many years. Verna was a former Worthy Matron of the Brookshire Chapter 652 Order of the Eastern Star. She was active for many years with her husband Roy in the Arabia Shrine Temple where they made lifelong friends, and later was a volunteer for the Shrine Hospital for Crippled Children. Verna was a member of Emerson Unitarian Church for over 50 years.

Several years ago, Verna and her lifelong friend Mary Margaret Henry were honored at their 75th Katy High School reunion. Verna loved to travel and was fortunate to have travelled with her family to many wonderful places in her lifetime. After Roy passed away, she and Emma travelled on many exciting trips. She rode a helicopter and walked on a glacier in Alaska, rode a camel in Egypt, and snorkeled in the Caribbean in her mid 70’s.

She lived at Brookdale Memorial City since 1994, and in recent years as her health began to decline, was cared for by a wonderful group of caregivers to whom her family is forever grateful. Jenny, Lauren, Sandra, Zoila and Elizabeth made it possible for her to continue to live in her own independent apartment for many years.

Her family was the joy of her life, and she was blessed to be able to enjoy 11 great grandchildren come into the family. She always looked forward to family gatherings with the chaotic fun and was able to celebrate numerous holidays and birthday parties up until about a year ago.

She passed away peacefully 4 days after her 98th birthday.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, Diabetes Association, Shriners Hospital, Emerson Unitarian Church, or charity of your choice.