Stella Margaret Cotter

Stella Margaret Cotter was born March 7, 1902, in Olathe, Kansas. She was the daughter of Robert and Mary Ellen (Malloy) Efinger. Stella's family moved when she was five years old to the Emerald Community, in Anderson County, Kansas, where she resided until she married and moved to Harris, Kansas. In 1925, she moved to Ottawa, Kansas, and California in 1945, returning to Ottawa in 1946. In 1994, she moved to Kerrville, Texas, where she made her home until her death Sunday, November 24, 2002, at the age of one hundred years. Stella was a lifelong homemaker. She and her husband owned and operated Cotter's Grocery Store in Ottawa, first located on East 11th Street, from about 1925 until 1945, and then at 414 East Wilson, from 1946 until 1966. Stella was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ottawa and the Altar Society. In 1923, Stella was united in marriage with William A. Cotter. He preceded her in death October 29, 1965. She is survived by her daughter, Rosellen Hodgson of Kerrville, Texas; two granddaughters, Deborah Courtney of Wichita, Kansas, Kim Wallace of Kerrville, Texas; and, great-granddaughter, Andrea Courtney. She was preceded in death by her sister, Rose Keller. SERVICES: A Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ottawa, 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 29, 2002. OFFICIANT: Fr. Steven Beseau. IN STATE: Mrs. Cotter will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary from 1 to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday and 5 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, where a Rosary will be said at 6:30 p.m. Thursday followed by a family visitation. CEMETERY: St. Patrick's Cemetery in the Emerald Community in Anderson County. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Vistacare Hospice, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.