Winifred Loudon Severance

Winifred Loudon Severance passed away at the age of 84 on Saturday, December 6, 2014 in Baton Rouge. A native of Zachary and longtime resident of Baton Rouge, she is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Charles E. Severance and children Susan, Ann (Ray Juno), Kay, Barbara (Tommy Duhon), and Bill (Anke Sulimma) and grandchildren, Liz, Patrick, Paul, Annie, Caroline, Charles, Emma, and Klara. She is proceeded in death by her eldest son, Charles E. Severance, Jr., parents James Elmo Loudon and Gertrude Swayze Loudon, and sister Madge Loudon Bueche. Winifred built her life around Family, Faith and Education and a love of south Louisiana and LSU. She was a devout Catholic and parishioner of St. Jude and she found great strength in God and his teachings. She was a proud descendant of one of the founding families of Zachary as well as the Jersey Settlers of Adams County, MS. She loved growing up in Louisiana, and often spoke of her maternal grandfather's adventures as a riverboat captain on the Mississippi, days spent at the Zachary general store owned by her paternal grandfather, and trips as a child to Baton Rouge and New Orleans for shopping and LSU games. At the age of 12, she even began to drive her grandmother from Zachary to Third Street to shop. Winifred loved False River, watching the children swim, fish and ski. Winifred adored her mother, who was affectionately known as the "Book Lady of Zachary" for her selling prowess of World Book Encyclopedias. She embraced her father's love of LSU, from where she graduated in 1950. She worked for the Dept. of Social Services, retiring in 1986. Active memberships included the Descendants of the Jersey Settlers, Cowbelles, Boyd-Ewing Unit 58 Chapter American Legion Auxiliary, DAR, UDC, and EBR Farm Bureau. Charles and Winifred lived for over 60 years on Albert Hart Dr., where they raised their 6 children. Winifred cherished her neighbors and friends and the kindness shown throughout the years, whether it was a fresh catch from Grand Isle, a bike ride around the neighborhood, a game of bridge or a chat at the LSU Faculty Club or on the driveway. Visitation is at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 833 Government Street on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 4 p.m., with a rosary at 6:30. Visitation continues on Friday, December 12 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Jude the Apostle Church, followed by Mass at 11, with burial at Roselawn. Pallbearers are Kenny Bueche, Wayne Downs, Tommy Duhon, Ray Juno, Patrick Rice, Paul Rice, Charles Severance, and Jeff Wittenbrink. Honorary Pallbearers are C.A. Bueche, Don Wilsdon, and Dr. Jack Jones. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Charles E. Severance Endowed Fellowship at LSU, Descendants of Jersey Settlers or Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Ctr. To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit rabenhorst.com.