Norma Elaine Schenck, 97, passed peacefully Sunday, March 24 in The Woodlands, Texas. She was the only child of Dale and Etta and grew up in South Bend, IN. Elaine was a graduate of John Adams High School and Indiana University, Bloomington where she majored in business. She also earned a master's in education from Indiana University and a vocational director certificate from Indiana State University. Elaine taught business education before becoming coordinator of business education and later director of vocational education for the South Bend Community School Corporation until her retirement in 1986.

In 1951, she married Arthur H. Schenck who preceded her in death August 28, 2015.Together they had a daughter, Lynn, of Bloomington, IN and a son, Ken(Merlin) of Conroe, Texas who survive her. She is also survived by her grandson, Skyler of Conroe, a brother-in-law, Alvin of Indianapolis, IN and six nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and her cousin, Jim, who was like a brother.

A child of the depression, Elaine was a remarkable woman. She was a loving wife and mother, a lifelong learner, and consummate educator. She had an infectious smile, enjoyed being with others, appreciated music, was a skilled bridge player and had a vast knowledge of antique silver. In high school she played saxophone with an all-girls orchestra performing for weddings and dances. After two years at IU, she took a year off to work for the Veterans Administration in Washington D.C. before returning to IU to finish her degree. She began her master's degree at the University of Colorado in Boulder and developed a lifelong love of the State. She was an active church member and leader of many civic and professional organizations for which her contributions were frequently recognized. And she still found time to take her children to museums, support their many activities, and later visit them wherever they resided.

At age 60, she and Art retired to Syracuse Lake, a place made special by her childhood visits and because it was where her parents retired. She became president of the Syracuse Lake association, president of the town park board, actively served Calvary United Methodist Church, and began selling antique silver. After 22 years, Art and Elaine made the difficult decision to leave their beloved lake home to move to Bloomington to be closer to Lynn and health care. Elaine quickly made new friends, found a loving new church in First Presbyterian, joined bridge groups, attended concerts, theater performances, and continued to sell antique silver. She was affectionately known by many as the Silver Lady.

She treasured visiting Skyler in Texas and moved there with Lynn following the death of her beloved husband of 64 years. She attended many of Skyler's activities, went with him to the annual Texas A&M physics fair, three Texas presidential libraries, the Johnson Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, and Wings on the Rockies before her health prevented her from doing so. In March 2022 she moved to The Heritage of the Woodlands Memory Care where she remained kind and appreciative until her passing. Her family would like to thank the many caregivers of Devotion Hospice and The Heritage for keeping her comfortable.

A celebration of life will take place on Tuesday, May 28 at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, IN with a reception to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, IN or the Indiana University Foundation: Kelley Shareholders Fund or the Education Opportunity Fund. The Funeral Chapel of Powell & Deckard is handling arrangements. Memories of Elaine and condolences may be shared with her family at www.thefuneralchapel.net.

https://www.southbendtribune.com/obituaries/psbn0821143