Barbara Korte
Cottage Hills | Save
Barbara Ann Korte (née Walk), age 85, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2025, in Reno, Nevada.
She was born May 31, 1940, in Cottage Hills, IL, the daughter of Virginia May Lemon and stepdaughter of William “Tex” Clifford (both deceased). She also had siblings William “Muggs” Clifford (deceased) and Debra C Rankin (surviving). Barbara graduated from Roxanna High School in 1958. After graduating she worked at General American Life Insurance in St. Louis MO.
She married Cyril A Korte (surviving) on September 03, 1960. After the birth of her first son, she devoted her time to raising her family. They moved to Pierron IL where they purchased a house. Later they moved to Pekin IL, then Kansas City MO, St. Charles, MO, Morristown NJ, and Rohnert Park CA. After retirement Cy and Barb moved to Reno NV. Barbara lived a full and vibrant life marked by her love of family, friends, and the joy of discovery.
They spent a lot of their retirement years traveling Europe, including Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Dresden, Strasbourg, Switzerland, Italy, France, Netherlands, England, Scotland, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia. They also travelled and camped extensively throughout the United States.
She shared a long and devoted marriage (65 years) with her husband, Cyril A Korte. Together they built a family rooted in love and resilience. Barbara was the proud mother of three sons—Matthew W Korte, Jeffrey A Korte and Gregory S Korte and late daughter Julie A Korte. She welcomed two daughters-in-law into her heart and home: Karol K Korte and Katherine A Korte. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren Kristopher Q Palmer, Kevin M Korte and Jacob A Korte, as well as her great-granddaughters Kamdyn A Korte and Keaton N Korte.
Barbara found joy in the simple pleasures of life—laughter that filled a room, the warmth of family gatherings, and the companionship of dear friends. She was an avid reader with an adventurous spirit, and she loved playing games with family and friends.
Her immediate family held a small gathering on November 21, 2025, for a closed viewing. There are plans being made for a memorial mass and service at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pierron IL in May 2026, when her ashes will be interred in Pierron Cemetery next to her daughter Julie A Korte.
May her memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved her.
Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home
