Elizabeth “Betty” Korte, 88, of Lebanon, Illinois died Sunday, Sept. 26, at her home.
She was born Oct. 20, 1932, to Frank and Majorie “Jorie” (nee Garwood) Budd, in Storm Lake, Iowa. She married Alan Korte in Indianola, Iowa, on June 15, 1963.
Dr. Korte and her family moved to Carthage in 1969, where she first worked with Dr. Coeur. She opened her own office a few years later. She loved being a “small town” doctor, taking care of patients in her office and, sometimes, on the field or court.
She was an avid Carthage sports fan and enjoyed keeping a count of how many players she had delivered, often from both teams. She chaperoned student trips to Mexico, Canada and Spain. She loved being involved in local community activities like Suzuki and church music programs. At home, she tended to a large array of african violets, a vegetable garden and numerous sewing projects.
Dr. Korte hosted international students from Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil, Spain, Norway and Uruguay. She gave them all experiences unique to the United States and many have stayed in contact throughout their lives.
Dr. Korte ran her office from the house for years, and then moved the office to a new building on Adams Street near the hospital. The house became “The Kortes” a destination for fun with a basketball half-court, swimming pool, ping pong and pool tables, TV and snacks. Many kids learned to swim in the pool and enjoyed thousands of hours of fun in her house.
In retirement, spending time with her friends, neighbors, children and grandchildren was her favorite pastime. Hearing about their adventures and successes meant the world to her.
Dr. Korte was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Jorie Budd; husband, Alan Korte; son, Bruce Korte; brother, Frank Budd.
Dr. Korte is survived by her children, Jennifer (Brandt) Gormley, St. Louis, Mo., and Jeff (Joni) Korte, Manchester, Mo.; grandchildren, Amber Smith, Ava (Richie Beck) Sarfaty, Seth Gormley, Maura Korte and Lana Korte; sister, Karen (Jim) Duncan; nieces and nephews, Frank Budd, John Budd, Deanna Hommer, Kristi Dierking, Wesley Duncan; numerous beloved cousins, great-nieces and -nephews, cherished friends and her adopted international family.
To help establish the Dr. Elizabeth Korte Memorial Scholarship fund, donations may be made in her honor at Marine Bank, in Carthage.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Oct. 24, at Lake Hill Winery in Carthage from 1PM to 5PM.