COURTER, Mary Eleanor (Troll) - b. June 4, 1929 - d. September 11, 2022

[patyrn]

Mary Eleanor Hawthorne-Courter passed away in her home in Eureka, Kansas on September 11, 2022 at the age of 93.  She was born June 4, 1929 in Eureka to Christian and Mary Charline (VanSickel) Troll.  Eleanor was the oldest sibling to sister Wilhelmina "Billie" Suddock and three brothers, Charley, Howard, and Max Troll. She spent most of her life in Greenwood County, Kansas. 

Eleanor graduated from Eureka High School in 1947 where she was 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 while knowing she would someday be reunited with her children who had left this world way too early.

Eleanor and Vernon later divorced.  Several years later, Eleanor married her "Sweet William" Bill Courter in 1973.  Together they enjoyed a long and happy life on their farm at Severy, Kansas.  They raised chickens, sold eggs, and grew large strawberry patches where their grandchildren would enjoy hours of picking strawberries and then enjoying her strawberries and yellow cake for breakfast.  On the holiday, "Ma" as she was known by her grandchildren, hosted many years of Christmas Eve parties wearing her specially made appliqued holiday sweatshirts at her house where all the chidlren 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.  After the death of her beloved Bill, Eleanor was fortunate enought 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 her daughters, Carmer (Tim) Ashlock of Bonner Springs, Kasnsas, Carol Westbrook of Eureka, Kansas, and Shelley (Gary) Houser of Wamego, Kansas; her son, David (Peggy) Hawthorne of Eureka, Kansa; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; and one brother, Max Troll of Liberal, Kansas.  She was preceded in death by her paremts; her husband, Bill; her sister, Billie; her brothers, Charley and Howard Troll; and three sons and a daughter.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 514 N. Elm Street,  Eureka, Kansas with Father Nicholaus Jurgensmeyer officiating.  Cremation has been effected.  Inurnment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Eureka. Kansas.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Sacred Heart Altar Society and may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, P. O. Box 595, Eureka, Kansas 67045 which is oversseeing arrangements.  Condolences may be left for the family online at www.koupfunerals.com.

(taken from the Koup Family Funeral Home website)