Eleanor Courter
June 4, 1929 — September 11, 2022
Mary Eleanor (Troll) Hawthorne Courter passed away in her home in Eureka, Sunday, September 11, 2022, at the age of 93. She lived most of her life in Greenwood County.
She was born June 4, 1929, in Eureka, to Christian and Mary Charline (VanSickel) Troll in Eureka. She was the oldest sibling to sister Wilhelmina (Billie) Suddock and three brothers: Charley, Howard, and Max Troll.
Eleanor graduated from Eureka High School in 1947, having been the Homecoming Queen. She married Vernon Hawthorne that same year. Soon after, her first child Carmen was born, followed by Carol, David, Shelley, Chris, and Melissa. As a mother, Eleanor suffered loss in her life, including the death of infant twins, Michel and Mitchell, followed later by the devastating loss of her 8-year-old daughter, Missy, and the tragic death of her son, Chris. However, she always remained strong in her faith and knowing she would someday be reunited with her children, having left this world way too early.
Eleanor and Vernon were later divorced. Several years later, she married her “Sweet William” Bill Courter. They married in 1973. Together they enjoyed a long and happy life on their farm at Severy. They raised chickens, sold eggs, grew large strawberry patches where their grandchildren (who called her “Ma”) would enjoy hours of picking strawberries and then enjoying her strawberries and yellow cake for breakfast. On the holidays Ma hosted many years of Christmas Eve parties wearing her specially made appliqued holiday sweatshirts at her house, where all the children and grandchildren gathered together. She also made her grandchildren many homemade dolls that remain a treasure today.
After many years of farm living, Bill and Eleanor moved to Eureka. During this time, she was dedicated to her church where she was active in Sacred Heart’s Altar Society where she participated in hand stitching many beautiful quilts. Eleanor spent many years creating beautiful quilts for each of her children and grandchildren.
Following the death of her beloved Bill, she was fortunate enough to spend the rest of her life in her own home. She relished sitting on the front porch enjoying her beautiful flowers. Toward the end of her life, she marveled at the simple pleasures of life, all while emphasizing that she just had the nicest life.
Eleanor is survived by daughters, Carmen and husband, Tim Ashlock of Bonner Springs; Carol Westbrook of Eureka; Shelley and husband, Gary Houser of Wamego; and son, David and wife, Peggy Hawthorne of Eureka; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Max Troll of Liberal. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill; sister, Billie; brothers, Charley and Howard; three sons, and a daughter.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 A.M., Saturday, September 17, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Eureka with Fr. Nicholaus Jurgensmeyer officiating. Cremation has been effected. Inurnment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Eureka.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Sacred Heart Altar Society. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, PO Box 595, Eureka KS 67045, which is overseeing arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online, at koupfunerals.com.
She was born June 4, 1929, in Eureka, to Christian and Mary Charline (VanSickel) Troll in Eureka. She was the oldest sibling to sister Wilhelmina (Billie) Suddock and three brothers: Charley, Howard, and Max Troll.
Eleanor graduated from Eureka High School in 1947, having been the Homecoming Queen. She married Vernon Hawthorne that same year. Soon after, her first child Carmen was born, followed by Carol, David, Shelley, Chris, and Melissa. As a mother, Eleanor suffered loss in her life, including the death of infant twins, Michel and Mitchell, followed later by the devastating loss of her 8-year-old daughter, Missy, and the tragic death of her son, Chris. However, she always remained strong in her faith and knowing she would someday be reunited with her children, having left this world way too early.
Eleanor and Vernon were later divorced. Several years later, she married her “Sweet William” Bill Courter. They married in 1973. Together they enjoyed a long and happy life on their farm at Severy. They raised chickens, sold eggs, grew large strawberry patches where their grandchildren (who called her “Ma”) would enjoy hours of picking strawberries and then enjoying her strawberries and yellow cake for breakfast. On the holidays Ma hosted many years of Christmas Eve parties wearing her specially made appliqued holiday sweatshirts at her house, where all the children and grandchildren gathered together. She also made her grandchildren many homemade dolls that remain a treasure today.
After many years of farm living, Bill and Eleanor moved to Eureka. During this time, she was dedicated to her church where she was active in Sacred Heart’s Altar Society where she participated in hand stitching many beautiful quilts. Eleanor spent many years creating beautiful quilts for each of her children and grandchildren.
Following the death of her beloved Bill, she was fortunate enough to spend the rest of her life in her own home. She relished sitting on the front porch enjoying her beautiful flowers. Toward the end of her life, she marveled at the simple pleasures of life, all while emphasizing that she just had the nicest life.
Eleanor is survived by daughters, Carmen and husband, Tim Ashlock of Bonner Springs; Carol Westbrook of Eureka; Shelley and husband, Gary Houser of Wamego; and son, David and wife, Peggy Hawthorne of Eureka; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Max Troll of Liberal. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill; sister, Billie; brothers, Charley and Howard; three sons, and a daughter.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 A.M., Saturday, September 17, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Eureka with Fr. Nicholaus Jurgensmeyer officiating. Cremation has been effected. Inurnment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Eureka.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Sacred Heart Altar Society. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, PO Box 595, Eureka KS 67045, which is overseeing arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online, at koupfunerals.com.
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