Clara Cottle

Clara H. Cottle, 93, of Topeka, KS, passed away on April 30, 2009. Clara was born June 15, 1915, in Topeka, KS, to William Paul (a cabinet maker) and Ella Emma (a seamstress) McDermott. She was the youngest of 5 children. Clara, along with her sisters, opened and operated a 16-chair beauty salon in Topeka called, Amber Glow, for many years. She met and fell in love with James H. (Red) Cottle, and after a long, romantic courtship, were married, a union that lasted 61 years. He was her best friend and the love of her life until her preceded her in death on August 31, 2000. They shared a love of the outdoors, fishing, gardening, music, and dancing. Their union was blessed with four children.

Clara ended her career as a professional beautician when she became pregnant, and devoted her life to her husband, children, and grandchildren. She was a very talented seamstress, pianist, organist, and particularly loved to knit, talents which she shared with friends and taught all her children and some of her grandchildren, as well. She and her husband and children spent weekends and vacations together fishing, and particularly loved fishing for Walleye in their boat in Minnesota. Clara and Red also loved gardening together, growing their plants from seeds in their backyard greenhouse, particularly tomatoes, which they became quite "famous" for and shared them with family and friends. Red lovingly nicknamed Clara, "Little Tomato", and would go out to his garden of roses and flowers and pick her one most every day.

Clara is survived by her four children: Caren Lowery and her husband Ken of New Braunfels, TX; Jim Cottle and his wife Rieta of Topeka, KS; Marla Bowles and her husband Bob of Lawrence, KS; and Jan McKinney Darrah and her husband Chris of Manhattan, KS. There are seven grandchildren: Shari (Lowery) Valadez and her husband David of Texas; Gina Lowery and her partner Bridgette Melhorn of Centerton, AR; James V. Cottle of Topeka, KS; David Cottle of Wichita, KS; Jonathon Bowles of Lawrence, KS; Kelley Casey and her husband Chris of Manhattan, KS; and Ross McKinney and his wife Nicole of Manhattan, KS. Also surviving are ten great grandchildren: Craig, Danielle, and Leslie Valadez of Boerne, TX; Kenton, Elizabeth, Dory, and Nell Casey of Manhattan, KS; Aidan and Declan McKinney of Manhattan, KS; and Zackery Alexander Cottle.

Preceding her in death were her siblings and their spouses: Edna and Joe Globaznia, Lena and Glen Caskey, Bertha and Vern White, and Earl and Blanche McDermott.

Clara will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband in a private graveside service for her family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Clara's honor for the care and maintenance of the rose garden at Mt. Hope Cemetery, 4700 SW 17th Street, Topeka, KS 66604, her final resting place. Dove Funeral Home is handling arrangements.