Enid Coulter's Obituary
Enid Coulter, age 93, of Centerville died Sunday, March 25, 2007 at Mercy Medical Center Long Term Care, Centerville.
She was born July 11, 1913, in Appanoose County the daughter of Lloyd Luse and Erma (Glick) Luse.
She graduated from Centerville High School in 1929 and was a member of the first graduating class from Centerville Junior College. Enid received her Masters degree from Northwest Missouri State in 1967 and taught second grade at Lincoln School in Centerville for 18 years.
Enid was an outstanding teacher who exhibited a genuine love of children. She felt deeply about each one and talked about them until her death. She often said that to see a child's eyes light up when he or she realized they could read, was one of the greatest rewards in her life.
Enid herself was an avid reader and loved all aspects of literature. She was very knowledgeable about the classics, history and geography. Her mental facilities were sharp until the end. Her love for children, nature and Centerville never wavered.
Enid married Craig Coulter on September 21, 1935 in Centerville. They were married for 64 years. To this union were born two sons Gary and Michael (Mickey) who both preceded her in death, as did her husband. Craig died on March 15, 1997. Enid weathered her family tragedies with strength, dignity and grace.
Also preceding her in death were her brother Edwin Luse and his wife Peggy.
A long time resident of Centerville, she was active in the United Methodist Church and it's Mary Circle, P.E.O., Sisterhood, St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary, Retired Teachers' Association, Association of Retarded Persons, Lake Rathbun Bird Club and Care Review Committee for Long Term Care and Group Homes.
She and her husband Craig were directors of the Centerville Community Center from 1953-1956. They devoted many hours to the Center repairing, painting, chaperoning and being mentors to the many students who filled the Center on Friday and Saturday nights.
They traveled throughout the United States and Alaska. Enid and Craig loved all aspects of nature and never ceased to be awed by what they saw and heard.
Their trip to England was especially memorable for Enid. There she met her longtime pen pal of 50 years, Vi, for the first time. A trip to Centerville by Vi was another highlight for both ladies.
Enid is survived by three nieces, Lucinda Coulter Morrison and her husband Dave of Michigan and Belinda Coulter Carlton of Michigan, Linda Luse of California, and one nephew Ed Luse also of California. Special friends, Kay, Anne and Sue Malmberg, John Toth, Mary Carpenter Swanson, Alan Swanson, Jody Swanson Ross and her family and Matt Swanson and Laura Pugh were part of Enid's ""Family"". Enid called herself Gigi (Great grandmother) to the little Ross girls, Megan, 7 and Molly, 4. Wilbur Rush is a very special friend who helped her in these last few years.
Services will be held Friday, March 30, 2007 at 11 AM at the First United Methodist Church, Centerville. A memorial has been established to the Centerville United Methodist Church or to the Drake Public Library Children's Room and may be left at or mailed to the Thomas Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, IA 52544.
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