Aurelia Victoria Korte

Aurelia Victoria (Stan) Korte, age 90, a resident of the Army Residence Community (ARC) of San Antonio, TX, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones. Aurelia, who was known as Reli (as she would say “pronounced like relish without the s-h”), was born in Dearborn, MI, on January 17, 1933, to Sofron and Victoria Stan, who immigrated to the United States from Romania. Growing up, Reli spoke both English and Romanian fluently, earnestly attended school, and worked at the family’s gas station. She graduated in 1950 from Nazareth Academy in Kalamazoo, MI, and then pursued her love of education, graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and in 1976 with a master’s degree in education from Southwest Texas State University.

Reli was a devout Catholic and dedicated member of Saint John Neumann Catholic Church. During her many years as a parishioner, she served as president of the Woman’s Club and a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. She also partook in all social events, often working behind the scenes to plan and run the church’s annual festival and design, make, and hang decorations at Christmas. Her many contributions were honored by being appointed a member of the Apostles of Saint John Neumann, memorialized by her photo that still hangs on the honorary wall in the Father Tony Cummins Family Center of the church, among photos of the short list of other honorees. Reli also served as a board member for over 20 years of Padua Place, a home for retired priests, where she was responsible for fundraising and coordinating the bi-annual silent auctions; as a board member of the Archdiocese Council of Catholic Woman; and as president of the Gibbons Literary Club.

After college, her adventurous spirit took her to Mission Beach, CA, to live beachfront and teach elementary school in San Diego. During her summer breaks from teaching, her desire to travel took her to Lake Tahoe, Colorado, and Hawaii, and in the early 1960’s, to Germany by boat to work as the troop hospitality director for the Army’s Special Services. It was there, in Heilbronn, Germany, where she met and married the love of her life on May 5, 1962, becoming a military wife for 27 years, during which time she taught elementary school, sold real estate, managed a bank, worked as an administrative assistant, presided over numerous boards and wives’ clubs, and mentored many young military wives.

Her family and friends will remember her for many things – for her love of God and country, the Texas culture and foothills, blooming blue bonnets in the spring, dancing, country music, playing the ukulele, and singing and harmonizing with her husband and children around a campfire as they crisscrossed the country on vacation or to relocate to their next post; for her laugh and infectious smile; for the countless friendships she made throughout her life, never meeting a stranger, and always looking out for others; for her fondness for animals and chocolate; and for her reputation as a social butterfly, throwing dinner parties, hosting friends, and attending parties where she was often the last one to leave.

Reli was preceded in death by her loving husband, Colonel Thomas Henry Korte (Ret.), her parents, her stepparents Charlie and Lucretia Tipa, and her half-brother Cornell Breaz. She is survived by her three children and their families – daughter Cathy Lemmon, husband Mike McCormick and step-granddaughters Haley & Faith of Leesburg, VA; daughter Kristina Korte and partner, Kenny Hattersley, of Woodbridge, VA; and son Thomas H. Korte, Jr., wife Dr. Theresa Jarmuz and grandchildren Harper & Bennett Korte of Milton, GA – and by brother-in-law’s Joseph Korte and wife Mary of Modesto, CA, and John Korte of San Antonio, TX; nieces and nephews Lisa Chaize Thomas (Jeff), Jennifer Korte (Trevor), Jim Korte (Liz), Mike Chaize, John Pat Korte, Craig Korte (Kristi) and Terry Breaz; cousins Elaine and Bob Boucher; and numerous great nieces, nephews and cousins, and other members of the large extended Korte and Stan families that she loved so dearly.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the nursing staff and medical personnel of the ARC’s Lakeside Assisted Living and Health Center A & B Wings for the loving care given to Reli over the past several months, as well as Gentiva Hospice Care who provided wonderful guidance and special care during her final days. Their dedication and love will forever be engrained in our hearts.

Friends and family are invited to a Rosary and Mass at the Army Residence Community Chapel in San Antonio, TX, on Tuesday, November 21, at 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., respectively, followed by a reception in Heroes Hall to celebrate Reli’s life. Interment will be held on Wednesday, November 22, at 11:00 a.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery (Shelter 1). Memorial contributions can be made in Aurelia Korte’s name to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org or Saint John Neumann Catholic Church at 6680 Crestway Drive, San Antonio, TX 78239.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/san-antonio-cremation for the Korte family.