"I miss you so much grandma. "
In loving memory of
Zora Gay Courtier
June 22, 1936 - December 6, 2018
Gay Courtier, 82 of Hastings, IA, unexpectedly passed away at her home on December 6, 2018. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Malvern, IA. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Private family burial will take place at a later date.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial are directed to the family and mailed in care of Loess Hills Funeral Home, PO Box 189, Malvern, IA 51551
Zora Gay Courtier, one of eight children of Roy Alfred and Della Mae (Embree) Bartley, was born on June 22, 1936 near Wanblee, South Dakota in a sod house on the prairie of the Rosebud Indian Reservation. Gay worked various jobs throughout the years and loved them all. At her retirement in 2000, she stepped down as the administrator at the Nishna Productions Group Home in Malvern.
Gay and Leon Burton Finchem were married on August 4, 1955 and were blessed with five children, Sandra Lynn, Donna Gay, Brenda Lea, Leon Welton, and Sheri Rae. The couple eventually divorced.
Gay met Arnold Darrel Courtier from Hastings, Iowa. They dated for 25 years before she and Socky were married at their Hastings home on November 28, 1996.
Gay served on the Hastings City Council and Hastings Cemetery Association. She was a member of the "Happy Hookers" at the Hastings United Methodist Church, where they crocheted mats out of recycled grocery plastic bags, to be given to the homeless and disabled veterans. She gave presentations to area churches and groups on how to crochet the mats.
Gay loved crocheting, baking, canning, gardening, mowing the yard with her zero-turn mower, and going to the casino. She enjoyed being down right "ornery", didn't mince her words and told it like it was, and had such an infectious laugh. Gay loved spending time with her friends and especially her family and grandchildren, who were her pride and joy. She was a great daughter, sister, wife, mom, grandma, great grandma, and a good friend to all who knew her.
Gay and Socky were married 12 years when Socky passed away on July 10, 2007 from multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells. Gay later battled cancer in her own way; with great strength and courage.
Gay unexpectedly passed away at her Hastings home on December 6, 2018 at the age of 82 years, 5 months, and 14 days. In addition to her beloved Socky, she was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Gladys Marie (Darwin) Dusseau, Dale LeRoy (Mildred) Bartley, Richard Ray Bartley, Kenneth Harold Bartley, and Gary Wayne Bartley.
Gay is survived by her children, Sandy Hagen and Jim of Omaha, NE, Donna Wallace and husband Marvin of New Market, IA, Brenda Boyle and husband John of Central City, IA, Lee Finchem of Hastings, and Sheri Bacon and husband Joe of Hastings; 21 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; sister Velma Irene Ruth (Darol) South of Shady Cove, OR; brother Harry Darwin "Corky" Bartley of Oregon; sisters-in-law, Mildred Bartley of Central Point, OR, and June Bartley of Everett, WA; nieces and nephews and their families; other relatives; and a host of friends.
Tributes
"My sincere condolences to all of Gay's family. I just heard of her passing today and I was crushed! I worked many years with Gay in Malvern. She was a great spirit!!! Lots of memories. Will miss her so very much!!! Dee Sowers"
"I knew Gay and Socky 50 yr;s ago , What a great couple and lots of fun May GOD bless them both ."
"Gay was a tremendously fun loving person, and a kind sole. She told it like it is! I loved her good nature and laughter. Rest In Peace, and bring laughter to others with you now."
"My thoughts are with the family and I am so sorry for your loss. May you find peace in each other ? Kari Abel"
"Wish we could have met Aunt Gay. Rest in peace. Condolences to your family."
"So sorry to hear of Gay's passing. I will never forget when I first met her years ago when I first moved to Malvern. She was so funny and upbeat and I always enjoyed visiting with her. Condolences to her family. "
"Gay was such a special friend, one of a kind, unique, open and honest, and could bring a smile or a laugh to those who were sad. She took care of my two baby boys, Kenith & Keith, while I worked. Gay loved giving my husband Jim a hard time. She had a wonderful way of joking and, and I loved her contagious laugh. I can't imagine this world without you in it, Gay.. Heaven is brighter with you in it. My heart goes out to her entire family. Hang in there Luke, she is still with you in your heart and memories. I am praying for God's peace for all of you. "
"Rest In Peace Gay, l will miss your since of humor and your laughter. Prayer for the family."
"Wish we could have met again Gay , Rest In Peace , my condolence to all Love , Hal Bartley & Family "
"I am so very sorry about Gay. She was a good and dear friend who could make you laugh even at your darkest times. I will certainly miss her My condolences to her entire family."
"Mom I love you and miss you with all my heart. Sheri"
"Prayers sent to the family. We love Gay so much. She will be missed by so many. So many great memories growing up. We Love you all. from Sandi Finchem Harmon Family."
"So sorry for your loss; may your memories bring you comfort during this time. Thoughts and prayers to the family."
"I am so sorry to hear of her passing. My husband Delaine considered her to be his 2nd mother. She had a great sense of humor and a quick wit. She always had time for a chat,especially keeping us updated on the happenings in Hastings. She will be missed. My condolences to her family."