Kora Marie (Lindenmeyer) Hollinger, 107, went home to the Lord on the evening of Wednesday, January 16, 2013, after a recent illness, where she was surrounded by loved ones in her final hours.

Born to Henry and Minnie Lindenmeyer in Dorrance, Kansas on February 22, 1905, Kora was one of six children. By the time she was three years old, the family moved to Russell, Kansas where she lived until 2010, when she moved to Houston, Texas to be closer to her son, Dr. F. Blaine Hollinger.

Kora was a 1921 graduate of Russell High School and subsequently attended Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas to study music. Upon returning home to Russell after her academic career, she met a young man by the name of Lloyd Hollinger, with whom a loving relationship developed and whom she married on March 28, 1927. Together, they had two sons, L.A. and Blaine.

Kora also attended business school in Salina, Kansas, specializing in secretarial work, providing her services for a host of local oil companies and attorneys in her hometown. She also helped her husband run their pharmacy, Hollinger Drug, for 40 years in their hometown.

During their years together, Kora and Lloyd enjoyed entertaining family and friends, attending church, and traveling the world together.

A tried and true University of Kansas Jayhawks fan, Kora indulged her passion for all things KU by regularly attending the home football and basketball games over the years.

Kora was a member of Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell, where she played the organ and the piano for over 70 years until her retirement at the age of 95.

After Lloyd’s death in 1979, Kora remained true to her ambitious nature and continued to travel; cheer on her beloved Jayhawks; and spend time with her children and grandchildren as often as possible. An avid bridge player, Kora enjoyed her weekly card games, as well.

Kora was best known, however, for her devotion to the Lord, her dedication to family, her spirited laugh, her tireless pursuit of fun, her penchant for spontaneous behavior, and her love of food.
Kora was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd L. Hollinger and her son, Dr. L.A. Hollinger. She is survived by son Dr. F. Blaine Hollinger and his wife Judy Hollinger, of Houston, Texas; her daughter-in-law, Susan Hollinger of Prairie Village, Kansas; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren, as well as a large extended family and many wonderful friends.

Upon first meeting Kora, if you sensed a woman of ambition, purpose, enthusiasm and zest for life, then you would quickly learn to never waver from that initial conclusion. Although down-to-earth and laced with homegrown sensibilities, Kora had a personality that was often larger than life. Even though she lived well into the 108th year of her life, her focus was less on its length and more on it is depth and width. She enthusiastically collected life experiences, many of which involved her love of food, and no matter where she went or what she did, fun and laughter were always on the menu.

Kora maintained a steady stream of optimism her entire life, and even when stumbling blocks fell upon her path, she quickly learned to turn those over into stepping-stones to greater opportunities and possibilities. She was unafraid to color outside the lines and pursue the road less traveled.  She embraced new experiences and challenges, and when opportunity knocked to try something new and different, she never complained about the noise.

A dedicated wife to Lloyd “Sal” Hollinger from 1927 until his passing in 1979, family was at the heart of who Kora was. Raising two equally-ambitious sons, L.A., born on June 22, 1933, and Blaine, born two years later to the day, she made certain to keep those boys a top priority, and under the faithful guidance and love of two supportive parents, both young men went on to enjoy successful academic and professional careers in medicine.

Kora was best known for her devotion to the Lord, her dedication to family, her spirited laugh, her tireless pursuit of fun, her penchant for spontaneous behavior, and her love of food. For Kora, the two main food groups were grease and salt, heavy on the salt. (And let’s not forget mashed potatoes and gravy and her famous chip chocolate pie!)

She would frequently pair her affections for mouth-watering culinary delights with her passion for adventures in travel. Her favorite book over the years was her passport, and what a grand tale that dog-eared book could tell. Her travels took her ‘round the world and then some, from the pyramids of Egypt to the snow-capped peaks of Alaska to the sun-kissed islands of Hawaii and to the architectural wonders of Russia.

She was fond of noting, “I may not be able to tell you everywhere I have been, but I can definitely tell you about everything I ate along the way!” Hence, her love affair for cruise ships, adventures she frequently enjoyed with her extended family.

Not one to remain fully tight-lipped at all times, Kora would confidently speak her mind (and enjoy the results!), yet still maintain an open attitude towards the sensitivities of others.  She lived with a caring heart, a compassionate spirit, a loving nature, and a giving soul. Sure, she was confident and self-assured, yet decidedly unfamiliar with ego and arrogance. She was one for whom kindness was an instinct and honesty was a lifestyle.  Her sincere respect for those around her could be heard in her words and seen in her actions.

And, yes, we do believe there is a McDonald’s in Heaven!

Celebration of Kora’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Otterbein United Methodist Church  with Pastor Earl Haggard officiating.  Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9 AM to 9 PM, Friday, January 25, 2013 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with the family present to greet friends from 7 PM to 9 PM.  A Memorial has been established with the Otterbein United Methodist Church.     Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.