COURTER, Gladys C. 1909-2011

COURTER, ALBRECHT, TELSCHOW, HARRISON

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 3/4/2012 at 23:42:39

[Waterloo Courier, Sunday, January 15, 2012]

Gladys C. Courter, formerly of Waterloo and Cedar Falls, passed away at Calvert Manor Nursing Home in Maryland on Dec. 20, 2011. Gladys was born Aug. 14, 1909, in Waverly. She spent most of her time as a homemaker in Waterloo. She was laid to rest in the Friends Cemetery in Hockessin, Del., beside her husband, John, who preceded her in death in 1984.

She is survived by her son, Arlo; her grandchildren, Christopher Courter and Jill Courter Harrison; and four great-grandsons.

A graveside service was conducted by the Rev. Troy Dennis. "Amazing Grace" was sung, accompanied on guitar by her oldest great-grandson, Colin Courter.

Also, a more detailed celebration of her life can be viewed at the funeral home website, www.nicholsgilmore.com. {also item 2 below]

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Item 2

[Nichols-Gilmore Funeral Home]

Gladys C. Courter Born in Waverly, Iowa on Aug. 14, 1909 Departed on Dec. 20, 2011 and resided in Earlville, MD.

Age 102 of Earlville, MD passed away on December 20, 2011.

Born August 14, 1909 in Waverly, IA she was the middle of 9 children born to William and Augusta Albrecht Telschow. A very good student, Gladys graduated from Melrose High School in Melrose, MN in 1927. Her life was enriched when she met and later married John Courter. John was a brakeman for the Illinois Central Railroad and then worked for the Iowa Public Service Co. They were transferred to Hampton, IA where their only son, Arlo, was born in 1936.

The family returned to Waterloo in 1943 remaining there for the next 40 years. Gladys was a homemaker and enjoyed trips to Chicago to visit her brothers and sisters. When her son Arlo moved East, Gladys became grandmother to Christopher Michael Courter and Jill Lynette Courter. In the 1970's Gladys and John moved East to be closer to Arlo's family. John Courter passed away in 1984 leaving Gladys to live alone for the remainder of her life. Gladys welcomed her first great grandson, Colin Michael Courter in 1966. Keeping busy with reading and family activities, she also typed Arlo's medical correspondence for a number of years. She enjoyed sewing and gardening and was a member of the Grace Methodist Church in Waterloo, IA.

As her health gradually declined and falling became a major problem for her, Arlo and his wife Alicia helped her transition from a condominium to an independent living facility, Calvert Nursing Home in Rising Sun, MD. After falling on December 16, 2011 she sustained a hip fracture, underwent surgery and died on December 20th. Special recognition and thanks to Alicia Courter who helped so much in caring for Gladys during her last 10 years.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, John W. Courter, in 1984. She was the last of 9 children of the late William and Augusta Telschow.

Survivors include her son, Dr. Arlo and Alicia Courter of Earleville, MD; 2 grandchildren, Christopher Courter of Newark, DE and Jill Harrison of Staunton, VA; 4 great grandchildren, Colin and Justin Courter and Jacob and Evan Harrison.

Graveside services were held privately at Hockessin Friends Cemetery in Hockessin, DE.