By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
18 Comments
  • Visitation

    Tuesday, February 23, 2021

    4:00 to 8:00 pm, and

    Wednesday, February 24, 2021

    8:00 to 9:30 am

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Service

    Wednesday, February 24, 2021

    10:00 am

    St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    Marian E. Korte, 73, of Highland, IL, passed away on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at Highland Healthcare Center.

    She was born November 16, 1947, in Breese, IL, to Louis and Lucille (nee Buehne) Thole.  On September 9, 1967, she married Thomas V. Korte, at St. Paul Catholic Church, in Highland; a loving marriage that lasted 53 years.

    Marian was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church and their Decorating Committee; she served on the Board at the Highland Area Community Foundation, and was an original founder and 1st President of the Highland Garden Club.  She worked many volunteer hours and served as President for Highland Country Club; volunteered for St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary and was a volunteer in the early days of the Highland Quarterback Club.  Marian worked for over twenty years as a Bank Teller for Farmers and Merchants Bank.

    She was a very caring and loving person; a great wife, mother and grandmother.  Marian was never afraid to try new things, even later in life, like the time when she learned to ski and broke her wrist.  She was a very good cook and loved to entertain in the home.

    She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Lucille Thole; and a brother, Richard Thole, in early childhood.

    Marian is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Thomas V. Korte, Highland, IL; sons, Brent (Heather) Korte, Highland, IL and Ryan Korte, Louisville, CO; grandchildren, Ashlynn & Brenden Korte and Peyton, Nicholas & Tatum Korte; sisters, Barb (Leo) Lammers, Highland, IL, Julie (Randy) Ribbing, Spring, TX, Louise (Kevin) Hemann, Highland, IL; aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

    Memorials may be made to the HACF/Garden Club or St. Paul Church.

    Visitation: Tuesday, February 23, 2021, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, and Wednesday, February 24, 2021, from 8:00 to 9:30 am, at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Mass of Christian Burial:  Wednesday, February 24, 2021, 10:00 am, St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

    Clergy: Fr. Pat Jakel, Pastor

    Interment:  St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

18 Condolences
 
  1. Judith Ann Frey-Kahrhoff / February 20, 2021 at 11:08 am

    So sorry for your loss. A special loving & extra caring friend and bridge partner. My sympathy to you and your family, At peace with the world.

    Regards

    Judy Frey-Kahrhoff

  2. Lisa Gerner / February 20, 2021 at 11:09 am

    For those of us who had the pleasure of golfing with Marian know that she was our idol. We
    admired her competitive spirit, her energy to volunteer and then play golf all day on Wednesday’s. She was always willing to have some fun and did all this while looking so very stylish and beautiful. To Tom, Brent, Ryan, Barb, Julie and Louise please accept my deepest sympathy. Thank you for sharing her with us, we will miss her dearly.
    -Lisa Gerner

  3. Mary Kay Korte / February 20, 2021 at 11:14 am

    So very sorry Tom and family after hearing of Marion’s passing. She was a good person and we will miss her. May she rest in the arms of her Savior now in Eternal perfection. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time and always.

  4. Linus and Pat Wessel / February 20, 2021 at 11:22 am

    Very sorry to hear this. Our condolences and prayers for Marian’s entire family.

    Linus and Pat Wessel

  5. Mary beth Broughton / February 20, 2021 at 12:04 pm

    My deepest sympathy goes to the family. My thoughts prayers and love hugs also goes to the family. She was a wonderful person beautiful inside and outside wonderful memories. Cherish your memories and the love she had for her family. I’m very sorry for your loss

  6. Marylin & Jerry McDevitt / February 20, 2021 at 1:03 pm

    Our sympathy and prayers are with Tom and all the family. This picture is how we will always remember Marian. She was a friend to all, ready for the next adventure, seeing what needed to be done and doing it, making and sending beautifully crafted greeting cards, working in the gardens, and always with her beautiful smile and wonderful laugh. We were blessed to call her our friend.
    Marylin and Jerry McDevitt

  7. Kay Ahaus / February 20, 2021 at 6:07 pm

    Tom and family,

    Marian welcomed Bill and me to Highland 15 years ago through the Garden Club. We will remember how much fun Marian generated on our bus tours around the state with the Club. She was such a warm, loving person, always ready with a compliment. A wonderful supporter of the Heartland Community Chorus, it was great to see you both in our audience. What a loss for so many of us and for the City of Highland. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Bill and Kay Ahaus

  8. Sue Messerli / February 20, 2021 at 6:11 pm

    The first I remember Marian was our time with Highland HS Band Parents. This classy lady was full of knowledge as Treasurer and passed it on to me. My all time favorite memory was when she, Louise, Barbara and I spent a few hours picking cherries from a cherry tree in Julie’s yard while Julie was out of town. We did not want the birds to enjoy them, at least that is what we told ourselves. My prayers go out to her family!

  9. Cheryl Korte Ross / February 20, 2021 at 11:52 pm

    Marian was my first Cousin-in-law. I didn’t live very many years in Highland, but I did live there in the late 1970’s and bowled with Marian. She always had a smile on her face and she lit up any room she stepped into. As I recall, Marian was a very good bowler, which was evident because she always ended up with “George.” Ask Aunt Ethel about “George.”

    I’m sure she and Mom are bowling in heaven. Every time you here thunder, remember her rolling that bowling ball and smile that she is in peace.

    Condolences Cuz.

  10. Bob & Shirley (Marti) Tebbe / February 21, 2021 at 9:06 am

    Our sympathy and prayers are with Tom and all the family.

  11. Ralph Langhauser- / February 21, 2021 at 10:43 am

    Our sincere sympathy to the Marian Korte Family, especially to her Sisters and their Families….. May she rest in “PEACE” ! May GOD bless ….. Ralph & Ruth Ann Langhauser & Family

  12. Jerry Frey / February 21, 2021 at 11:09 am

    Tom, our deepest sympathy for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
    Jerry and Dolores Frey

  13. Caroline Tschannen / February 21, 2021 at 5:49 pm

    Tom and family my deepest sympathy for the loss of your love one. She was a great lady and will be missed.

  14. Pam Morgan / February 22, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    I am so sorry Tom. My condolences and prayers go out to you, Brent, Ryan, Barb, Julie and Louise. I will always remember how happy she always was every time I saw her. I have so many memories of HCC Wednesday Ladies Golf League, She was always willing to help no matter what. We spent many times at her house making Christmas favors for the annual party and the fond memories of times we shared after Board meetings sitting at the bar! We always laughed about the fact that she never had any money with her! She was such a joy to be around! The many nights we had dinner with friends just showing off our grandbabies were such wonderful memories. My heart goes out to all of you and may she now be with her Savior and rest in peace.

    Thanks for the memories my dear friend!!

  15. Ralph & Carol Koch / February 22, 2021 at 5:47 pm

    Tom , our deepest sympathy for your loss. Our prayers go to you and your family

  16. C. Wilson / February 23, 2021 at 11:22 am

    My thoughts and prayers are with the KORTE FAMILY in their time of grief. Please find comfort in the words recorded in (John 5:28, 29).

  17. Thomas J Korte / February 23, 2021 at 7:11 pm

    Tom
    Words fall far short of describing the depth of our sympathy at this loss for you and your family. Marian will be greatly missed by all of us who knew her. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you with his warmth and comfort in the difficult days ahead.

    Tom & Phyllis Korte

  18. SHARON HAWK / May 26, 2021 at 1:49 pm

    I first found out about Marian s passing today upon taking to some schoolmates and asking about her. She is with you in spirit. You now have an angel looking out after you. I will miss her. God bless and help you upon her loss. 🙏 ❤ Prayers and you now have an angel.

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