Obituary of Elaine Braund Wickersham

Elaine Braund Wickersham, 83, of Foxdale Village, State College died on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at Foxdale Village.

Born July 10, 1938 in Towanda, PA, she was the daughter of Oren J. and Elizabeth Gilbert Braund. On June 27, 1959 she married Edward W. "Ted" Wickersham, who preceded her in death on April 15, 2017. She is survived by her three sons, Steven of Pittsburgh, Mark of Bellefonte, and Karl of Red Bank, NJ; three grandchildren, Ryan of Pittsburgh, Eric and his wife Hannah of Pendleton IN, and Kathleen of Bellefonte; two sisters, Shirley Kibbe of Chaffee NY, and Sharon Decatur and her husband Edward of Albuquerque NM. She was preceded in death by her brother, Darwin Braund.

Elaine earned a Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1960, a Master's degree in 1971 and a Doctoral degree in 1978 in Education from Penn State.

Utilizing her degrees in Education, Elaine taught elementary school in Madison, Wisconsin in 1961, and from 1971 to 1978 in the State College Area School District at Lemont, Houserville and Radio Park schools.

Elaine's own passion for reading evolved into a passion for introducing the world of children's literature to people of all ages. This desire fueled her to run children's literature workshops for parents, teachers, superintendents, and other school officials. This passion also led her to fulfill a lifelong dream of opening a children's bookstore, "Books & Bears", in State College from 1984 to 1993. She followed up that business with "Elaine Wickersham & Co" in Lemont from 1993 to 1995 that focused on children's books and toys.

In addition, Elaine shared her talents in childhood reading and education by serving on the boards of the Community Education Advisory Council and the Child Development Council. She was coordinator of children's events for the Arts Festival for three years. In March 1987 she organized a local task force to help support the national celebration of the Year of the Reader.

Elaine loved her family, teaching, creating all kinds of artwork, and gardening. She was also always there to listen to and help a friend. Elaine was a member of the Mount Nittany United Methodist Church.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00p.m. on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at the Foxdale Village auditorium, 500 E. Marylyn Ave, State College. Foxdale Covid protocols require check-in at main entrance. Please allow time for check-in.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Elaine's memory to: The Community Fund at Foxdale Village, Foxdale Village, 500 E. Marylyn Ave., State College, PA 16801, or The Schlow Library Memorial Gift (children's collection) at 211 S Allen St, State College, PA 16801, or The Mount Nittany United Methodist Church at 1500 East Branch Road, State College, PA 16801.

The family expresses their grateful thanks and appreciation to the remarkably caring and attentive staff at Foxdale Village, and a very special thanks to Dr. Sepich of the Health Home.