Wilma M. Stoever

Wilma M. Stoever, 104, passed away Friday, July 19, 2019. She was born April 27, 1915 in Shiner to the late Edmund and Anna Nelson Pfeil. She grew up on her family’s farm with her brother and sister, the youngest of the three children. She graduated from high school in 1933 and later moved to Kenedy to live with with her aunt and uncle. It was in Kenedy that Wilma met the love of her life, her late husband Louis Stoever, at the Nordheim Dance Hall. They moved to Victoria in 1952. Wilma worked at dry goods stores before getting a job at the Victoria Credit Union where she worked for 21 years. She was the manager for 15 of those years. She was a member of the American Legion Auxliary for 56 years, and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church since 1952.

Life brought good times and bad times. Louis was diagnosed with lung cancer. As he battled the disease, Wilma continued to work and care for him after he had a laryngectomy. Although he lost the ability to speak, the two developed a special code so he could answer her questions with a series of knocks. Louis died in 1985. Her only daughter, Judy Weaver, died in March of this year.

After she retired, Wilma channeled her grief into helping others. She created a grief support group at her church, meant for those who had lost their spouses. The group, Wednesday’s Friends, still meets one Wednesday a month. She also kept busy with various charities and causes. In 1988, she received the National AARP Community Service award, according to Advocate archives. In later years, she would spend her free time making corsages for a local rest home.

After breaking multiple bones in a car accident in 2006 Celeste Moreno, a registered nurse, began working with and caring for Wilma. After almost 14 years together, the two have become family.

She is survived by her son-in-law, Leslie Weaver.

Visitation will be from 6-8 pm Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at Rosewood Funeral Chapels. Funeral services will be at 10 am Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Rev. Barney Matocha officiating.

Special thanks are extended to Celeste and all of Wilma’s caregivers, and to Pastor Barney and Kara for their visits.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 106 N. DeLeon Victoria, Texas 77901, or to Hospice of South Texas, 605 E. Locust, Victoria, Texas 77901.

Share condolences at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.