Isabel B. Wisnoski

1935 - 2024

Corpus Christi, Texas - Isabel Berma Wisnoski was born on December 7, 1935, to parents Rebecca Falcon Solis and Crispin Bermea in Beeville, Texas. She was also raised by stepfather Narciso Solis. She gained her wings on March 18, 2024.

Our mom was raised during some pretty tough times. Her parents and siblings were migrant farm workers for most of her childhood. Her strong work ethic and can-do attitude are attributed to this. During her lifetime she held many jobs. From working in a pharmacy, to owning a restaurant and her last job was that of Post Exchange manager at the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas. In her adulthood she was active in a bowling league, and very involved in the church by teaching CCD and baptismal classes as well as being a member of the prayer group at Queen of Peace Church.

If you knew our mom, you knew she loved to gamble. Bingo nights with the ladies at the VFW and Elks Lodge were one of her favorite pass times. She loved to play poker and chalupa with family and friends, but her real love was LAS VEGAS. Her eyes would light up when she knew she was going and when she was there the time of day did not matter. She could stay up longer than any of us. She loved to play her slot machines and was most times very lucky. Visiting the Bellagio and looking at all the beautiful flower displays were a must do on each visit. Not more than a month ago Norma and Nasser were able to take her back to Vegas one last time and mom was so happy to be there.

She was a trailblazer and very determined. While active in the Harlingen Elks Lodge she was not only the first woman but the first Hispanic woman to ever be elected as the Chaplin.

As many of you know her Catholic faith was larger than life. She prayed her rosary daily, had lists and lists of prayers requests for family and friends. Her faith in God was instilled in each of us. She would bless us with a sign of the cross on our foreheads before we would leave on a trip or before we'd leave to work. Always nearby was a bottle of holy water and her crucifix that my dad bought for her many years ago.

Being a part of a military family is no easy task but being a military wife to our Marine Corp dad was a tough assignment for her, but she did it with such grace. During those times they moved wherever dad was assigned to and lived in such places at Fallbrook, California and her beloved Kane'ohe Bay Military Base, Hawaii, and Alexandria Virginia while our dad worked at the Pentagon. After our dad finished his active service, they moved back to Portland and then to Harlingen, Texas as dad took a new job as Gy. Sgt at Marine Military Academy. Living in the barracks on base she became a second mother each year to the hundreds of cadets that were in Echo Company. They all loved her and knew they could count on her for guidance and advice or just a shoulder to cry on. While she may have been a second mother to all her boys at MMA, her most important role was that of OUR mom.

She was the wife to the late Gy Sgt Larry L. Wisnoski, mother to our 3 brothers in heaven Baby Joe, Christian "Chris", and Stefan. Only her two daughters or as she would call us "her gueritas" are left, Norma Zangebar and Lisette Wisnoski. Son in law's Nassar Zangebar and Alex Rosales. Daughter in law Nita Tribble. Also survived by her last sibling Lydia Pena and numerous nieces and nephews, sisters and brothers-in-law.

Grandmother to Norma's children: Jeremy Moreno & Celesta (Pedro) Ribas Ferreira

-Great-Grandchildren (Jeremy's): Jeremiah, Mariah, & Jonathon Moreno

-Great-Grandchildren (Celesta's): Gabriel & Daniel Ribas Ferreira

Grandmother to Stefan's children: Jacob, Noelani, Blas, Sebastian, & Silas Wisnoski

Grandmother to Lisette's children: Mark (Danielle), Christopher (Daria), & Alex Rosales

-Great-Grandchildren (Mark's): Bennett Schultz and another baby boy on the way in September

We would like to thank everyone who prayed for mom during this time. Continue to pray for us and our families as we grieve. A special thank you to her hospice team from Nurses on Wheels who took excellent care of mom and gave us such wonderful support 24/7.

Remember to love one another, trust in God and his timing, believe in yourself, don't take moments with family and friends for granted, call and check in on family and friends, make time for prayer and when in Vegas don't be cheap put a $100 bill in the slot machine!

A viewing will be held on Tuesday March 26 from 3-5pm for family only and public viewing from 5-8 with the Rosary beginning at 7pm at Seaside Memorial Funeral Home located at 4357 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412.

Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday March 27 at 11:30 at Mt. Carmel Catholic Church located at 1008 Austin St. Portland, TX 78374