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Photo of Cora "Corky" M. (Stites) Batton

Cora "Corky" M. (Stites) Batton

4/10/1938 - 11/25/2016


Obituary


Cora “Corky” M. Batton, 78, of Mason City and formerly of Britt passed away Friday, November 25, 2016 at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

A Celebration of Life Service for Cora “Corky” Batton will be held at 6:30 PM on Monday, November 28, 2016 at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West in Britt with Visitation beginning at 5:00 PM.

Graveside services for Cora “Corky” Batton will be held at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at Evergreen Cemetery in Britt with Pastor Willie Rosin officiating.

Cora “Corky” Batton was born April 10, 1938 to Milton and Wilma (Johnson) Stites in Clear Lake. At age 5, she moved with her family to Britt where she was educated and graduated from Britt High School with the Class of 1957.

Following high school, Corky worked various jobs around Britt before she took a position as a matron at the I.O.O.F. home in Mason City, where she worked from 1959-1966. She was an avid and lifelong caretaker of other people, including raising her sister and family and opening up her home to various children and adults throughout the years.

Corky sang and played piano and accordion as a professional musician from 1966 – 2001 when she retired from live entertainment. Her music career saw her play country and polka music throughout the Midwest and she even appeared on television.

Corky was united in marriage to Melvin Batton on June 24, 1972. The couple lived in Britt and Melvin passed away in 1992.

Corky enjoyed baking and cooking, including her famous bean burgers and banana bread, as well as “Grandma Cuckoo’s Sugar Cookies.” She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge, the VFW Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary.

Corky is survived by her daughter Lisa (Marty) Baltierra of Mason City; grandchildren Jay Baltierra and Kathryn Baltierra of Mason City; sister Peggy Gatton of Blue Earth, Minnesota; “the kids” – the children of the I.O.O.F. home and their families; sisters-in-law Bev Gayken of Britt and Donna Batton of Owatonna, Minnesota; along with numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews and friends.

Corky was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Mel, sister Phyllis Seefeld, brother Ronald Stites, nephew Danny Stites and several extended family members and friends.

 Click to view tribute video for Cora Batton