Cora Kitrell
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On September 24, 2020 @ 11:59 am In 2020,Obituaries | 8 Comments
Cora Kitrell, of Eden Prairie (formerly of Prior Lake, MN & Lincoln, NE) passed away on September 20, 2020 at the age of 88. Private family services will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 11:00 AM. Friends are invited to stream the service at the following link: Cora Kitrell Funeral Service (Meeting ID: 949 8360 3589 / Passcode: 399973).
Cora will be laid to rest with her beloved husband at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be distributed to causes that Cora held close to her heart. Cards can be mailed to: The Kitrell Family c/o Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation; 104 First Street W; Jordan, MN 55352.
On May 30, 1932, Cora Jane Opp was born to parents, George & Elizabeth (Breckel) Opp. Cora was one of nine children and loved growing up on the family farm in Ada, MN. She loved all of her siblings but was especially close to her dear sister Ruthe who referred to Cora as “her other half”. The Opp family eventually moved to Nebraska, and Cora graduated from Lincoln High School.
While in high school, Cora met the love of her life, Sidney Kitrell. Cora was always up for adventure, and Sid impressed her with his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Shortly after high school, Sid & Cora exchanged wedding vows on November 25, 1950 during a double wedding ceremony with Ruthe & Jim Mason.
Cora’s sense of adventure was fulfilled when she and Sid traveled west to work in uranium mines before returning to Lincoln. Cora & Sid’s marriage was blessed with many happy years and three wonderful children, Doug, Dan & Kerry. Cora was a wonderful homemaker and a gracious hostess. Her home was always open to family and friends. Cora always enjoyed entertaining guests, and she made sure everyone had a good time when they were at her home.
In 1972, the Kitrell family moved to Prior Lake, MN. Their home was right on the lake, so all of their family activities revolved around the water. They enjoyed water skiing, boating, ice skating and snowmobiling. Sid’s work brought visitors from all around the world. Cora made sure everyone made a trip out to the lake to enjoy a pontoon cruise and eat a good meal. Cora truly loved the water. Even though she couldn’t swim, she spent countless hours floating on her inner tube tied to the dock. Cora was a sun goddess and spent every moment she could enjoying lake life.
Although Cora was mostly a homemaker, she also worked outside the home for several years. She was a school cook for the Prior Lake school district. She worked at Five Hawks Elementary and loved all the kids she met along the way. Cora was truly a kid at heart, so she fit right in.
Throughout her life, Cora had many hobbies and interests. She enjoyed attending her kids’ school activities, being an amateur radio operator and doing word find puzzles. Cora was an avid letter writer. She would correspond with family and friends to keep them up-to-date on the happenings of her life. Cora enjoyed many things, but spending time with family and friends was most important to her.
Once the kids were grown, Cora and Sid moved to Tennessee for a few years. Cora moved back to Minnesota to be closer to her children after Sid’s passing and spent the last decade of her life at Brookdale Senior Living. Cora made many wonderful friends there. She was always eager to help other residents, volunteer to help staff or participate in any activity. Any time her family came to visit, they knew she wouldn’t be in her room. Cora was in the middle of “town hall” or sitting on the couch visiting with her friends.
Cora was a kind woman. She was gregarious, and everyone loved her. Cora was always up for a good time, and her eyes sparkled every time she smiled. She was a loving wife, mother, grandma, sister and aunt.
She will be remembered always by her children, Doug (Sandy) Kitrell, Dan (Jennifer) Kitrell and Kerry (Steve Manning) Ross; grandchildren, Lauren Kitrell, Kari Kitrell, Amanda Kitrell, Brooke (Thom) Runningen and Emily Ross; sister, Ruthe Mason. Cora was greeted in Heaven by her husband, Sidney; parents, George & Elizabeth Opp; her 3 brothers, 4 sisters, and in-laws.
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Hi Connie.
Thank you for sharing your memories of mom. It is fun to think of our mom as the “kid” but several of the pictures people have shared for her memorial support this. Love to you and your family.
I knew Cora only through Brookdale Eden Prairie; my mom was/is there too. I was so glad to read about her vibrant earlier life here. Cora was always a bright light when we walked through the door into the “town hall.” Her face would light up when she recognized a friend, and she loved a hug. She was a good friend to my Aunt Mary Lou (Lulu) and to my mom–I thought of them as the Three Musketeers. I’m so sorry for your loss, especially during these trying times.
Hi Laura.
Thank you for your thoughtful note and kind words. Lulu, Cora and Jean were definitely the three musketeers. I usually found them sitting together whenever I visited Brookdale. Your mom taught me her high school cheer which we frequently shared when we ran into each other. We send your our appreciation and love.
I was so very sorry to read of Cora’s death. She was a wonderful, fun neighbor on Oakland Avenue in Burnsville and we had some crazy times together. Thinking of her always makes me smile and she will be missed.
Paula,
So nice to see your name pop up here. Thank you for the kind thoughts. Yes, many fond memories of Oakland Avenue. It has not come up in a while but I remember Mom riding Dan’s 5 speed from the top of the hill down to your house. She started out fine but then could not remember which of the hand brakes was for the rear. We had told her to make sure not to use the front one first. She ended up having to put her feet down to stop. Your house was also one of the kick of points for a kids adventure to head north into the fields for a wander. Be well.
Cora will sure be missed by our band. Pre-Covid-19, we performed monthly at Brookdale – Clare Bridge and the “Three Musketeers” Cora, LuLu and Jean, are most memorable. We changed the words to ‘Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue’ to include Cora’s name. She would light up the room with her energy when we sang it for her. What an amazing lady, so much fun to be around and she always had a hug for us. I had no idea she was from Prior Lake, we no doubt crossed paths back in the 70’s at a basketball game (Go Lakers) So now, in honor of Cora…
Five foot two, eyes of blue, oh what those five feet can do
Has anyone seen my gal?
Turned up nose, turned down hose, never had another beau
Has anyone seen my gal?
Now if you run into five foot two covered with fur
Diamond ring and all those things
Cora’s her name and that’s for sure
But could she woo, could she coo, could she could she coochie coo
Has anyone seen, has anybody seen, has anybody seen my gal?
May God comfort your family during this difficult time.
Robin (Krueger) Martens, Ann Westerback, Scotty Heuserman
Acoustic Rain
Thank you for sharing this story with us Robin! Mom loved a good celebration, whatever the occasion. I can see her smiling, dancing, and singing along and loving the modification of the lyrics to be about her. Always positive, generous with hugs, lighting up a room with her eyes of blue – that’s our mom. Although, five foot two is pretty generous for her actual height. Haha.
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She was a wonderful Aunt and friend. Mom and Dad loved their visits with her and Sid. The all had been on so many adventures growing up and Cora was always the “kid”. She always made everyone smile. God bless all of you during this time of loss.