I, Elaine Betty Whiteside nee Stunkel, was born on a cold and wintery day on December 14, 1932 in Bird City, Cheyenne County, Kansas to John H. Stunkel and Bertha Bose Stunkel. I was Baptized and Confirmed into the Lutheran Faith in the church which my Grandfather, John F. Stunkel, helped found as the German American Church in Bird City, Kansas.

I spent my childhood in Bird City, a small town in northwest Kansas. I attended Elementary school and High School there, graduating in 1950. With 22 in my graduating class, 16 of us started Kindergarten together. After graduating, I worked for the local doctor and earned enough to think about going to the University of Kansas, with hopes of becoming a pediatric doctor. But as things go, the time and money ran out. Luckily, I met and married the love of my life, James D. Whiteside.

We were married on August 11, 1956 after he graduated KU, and received his commission as Ensign in the United States Navy.

To this union was born James D Whiteside II in 1957, Jimmy was joined by Elizabeth Ann (Gyland) in 1959, Barbara K (Knopp) joined the crowd in 1962, and then came our anchor man, John Brogden, in 1963.

I am the proud grandmother of Shayna Lynn Brown nee Whiteside, Gregory James, and Julie Whiteside of Katy, Texas, Eileen Skjelhaugen nee Gyland of Horton, Norway, Ryan Matthew Knopp of Jacksonville, Florida, April Elizabeth Knopp of Midland, Michigan, and Lauren Elaine, Stephen Joseph, Kelly Elizabeth, Kevin James, Nicholas John, Michael Alexander, Mary Esther, and Philip Benedict Whiteside of Lenexa, Kansas, and great grandchildren Hannah and Thea Skjelhaugen, Lucy Whiteside, and Sumaya and Ibra Brown.

I was preceded in death by my parents, John and Bertha Stunkel, and sister Joyce Jarmin;
two siblings, Lloyd Walter and Zelda Mary Anne who both died at birth; and a beloved Uncle Emil Stunkel.

I used my degree to raise four children knowing when to call the doctor and when they would get well on their own. These skills also stood me in good order as I followed my husband around the U. S. of A. at various duty stations in Virginia, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and California. After my husband left the Navy, we then lived in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and Lake Jackson, Texas and two foreign countries Brazil and Norway. Leaving one daughter behind in Norway as the daughter married the boy next door was most difficult.

I was also an accomplished seamstress, painter, and quilter. I did Rosemaling while in Norway, an artistic method of painting miniature roses on various small objects. For many years, I made decorative wooden objects to sell at craft shows throughout Brazoria County. For almost 17 years, I was a volunteer at our local hospital attaining just under 20,000 hours.

I am survived by my husband, James D. Whiteside, my four children, James D. Whiteside II and wife Sallie nee Tuck, Elizabeth Ann and husband Svein Gyland, Barbara K and husband Roy L. Knopp, and John Brogden Whiteside and wife Theresa nee Viveros, my 14 grandchildren and grandchildren spouses, Carla Knopp nee Carrifino, Laura Whiteside nee Peacock, Andrew Brown, and 5 great grand children. In addition to my loving family, I leave behind a host of friends, hospital employees, volunteers, and special friends, Beth Wood, Barbara Meier, Mary Helen Nelson, Lisa Schaubroeck, Susan Mehner, Lisa Baker, and Janice McEwen.

Keep up the good works, Volunteers.

See you on down the road.

I love you all.

Elaine

She died on June 15th, 2012 attended by her family at home in Lake Jackson, Texas.

Memorial services will be at Lakewood Funeral Chapel, 98 N. Dixie Drive, at 10:00AM Friday, 22 June 2012. Family will receive friends and guests from 9:00 to 10:00AM.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity, Helping Hands & Hearts Hospice at 412 Plantation Drive, Lake Jackson, or to the Brazosport Regional Health System at 100 Medical Drive, Lake Jackson.

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