Oliver Kenneth Courts, formerly of Okeene, OK, and Windom, MN, passed away on February 19, 2019, in Crosslake, MN. Services were February 25, at Crosslake Evangelical Free Church in Crosslake, MN, with Rev. Samuel K. Courts and Rev. Barry Courts officiating. Private inurment for the family will be held at Pinewood Cemetery in Crosslake on Friday, May 17, 2019, at 10 AM.
Oliver was born October 9, 1927, to William “Bill” and Jennie Courts in Okeene, OK. His siblings were Harold, Jim and Arnold Courts, and Doris Fast. Oliver attended Prairie Dell Country School from first through eighth grade, then attended Okeene High School. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was 12 years old at the Emmanuel Baptist Church near Loyal, OK. In early 1943, during World War II, Oliver dropped out of high school and, upon being rejected from the U.S. Army for medical reasons, went to Washington State and worked for Kaiser Shipyards as a welder. In August of that same year he returned to Okeene to finish his high school education. He was captain of the Okeene Whippet football team in the fall of 1946 and graduated in 1947.
After graduation, Oliver followed the wheat harvest to Nebraska with Dr. Sylvin D. Hayworth. Following that he made a trip to Windom, MN, to visit his grandparents and other relatives. It was during that visit that he met his bride-to-be, Maxine Elizabeth Collin. Oliver and Maxine were married at First Baptist Church in Windom on June 24, 1949.
After getting married, Oliver and Maxine lived outside Okeene, OK, for five years. They then moved back to Minnesota and he worked for his father-in-law farming near Windom then became a self-employed farmer in 1958. In 1964 Oliver and Maxine left farming and he went to work for Caldwell Packing Meat Company in Windom, where he faithfully worked for 20 years. In June of 1984 Oliver retired from Caldwell’s and they bought the Lakeside Scenic Motel in Crosslake, MN, and operated the motel until their retirement in 1991.
Oliver was appointed to the Crosslake City Council in 1986 then was elected Mayor, serving a two-year term until 1988. He had been a faithful member of the Crosslake Evangelical Free Church since moving there in 1984. In his spare time Oliver spent a lot of time enjoying his incredibly large family. He also loved to fish, golf and garden (he was especially fond of his lilies). His grass was always neatly trimmed, and he was often seen cutting the grass of his neighbors as well.
Oliver was preceded in death by his wife of almost 67 years, Maxine; parents; siblings; and son-in-law, Danny Swenson. He is survived by his children: Michael David (LaVerle) of Nisswa, MN, Samuel Kenneth (Mary) of Deer Trail, CO, Deborah Jen Wathen (Jay) of Beaumont, TX, Cheryl Elizabeth Swenson of Coleraine, MN, Barry Lee (Diane) of Buenos Aires, Argentine, Kristi Renae McNeill (David) of Roanoke, VA, Robin Janine Burns (Paul) of Charlotte, NC, Jody William (Lorrie) of Maplewood, MN; 25 grandchildren and 54 great grandchildren.
Memorial may be sent to Crosslake Evangelical Free Church, 37218 County Road 66, Crosslake, MN 56442.
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