Madonna M. Koutre, 102, Plover, died Friday, December 13, 2013 at the Portage County Health Care Center. A former long-time Dubuque, Iowa resident, she had lived in Plover since 1998.

Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, Dubuque, IA. A gathering for family and friends will be held in the Linwood Chapel on Wednesday, December 18 at 11:00 a.m.

She was born on July 17, 1911 in Dubuque, the daughter of Phillip H. and Bertha M. (Gray) Stemper. She married James “King” Koutre in Dubuque on June 9, 1929. They shared a special, loving bond for 69 years. He passed in 1999.

Stemper. James “King” Koutre in Dubuque on June 9, 1929. They shared a special, loving bond for 69 years. He passed in 1999.

Madonna lived a full and productive life during her century-plus time on earth. She used her relatively short formal education to great advantage, combining that with a strong ethic of hard, never-ending work (likely an attribute of her Germanic heritage). She was proud of her long-time work at Diamond’s Cafeteria & Grill, in Dubuque, and eventually became a co-owner of the business, with her husband, “King”.

Madonna was an avid reader in earlier years, as well as enjoying sewing and crocheting.  She liked playing cards with friends and her family. While not endowed with a great voice, she loved singing, often making up her own funny versions of the lyrics. Madonna was also a good friend to others during her many years in Dubuque and Plover. She would quietly assist people she knew, whether they needed help in solving a problem, or something as simple as a car ride.

Madonna devoted herself to her husband and her children, always wanting them to have a better life than she experienced in her early years.  She also took great pride in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and their accomplishments.

She will be greatly missed and forever loved by her two children, Mary
Jane Koutre, Des Moines, IA, and John (Donna) Koutre, Plover. She is
also survived by four granddaughters, Anne (Brian) McCoy, Pullman, WA,
Becky (Brian) Cook, Julie (Matt) Raschka, and Michelle (Shane)
O’Connell, all of Plover. She is further survived by eight great-grandchildren,  Taylor and Jake McCoy, Josh and Danny Cook, Colton and Madelynne Raschka, and Caden and Ethan O’Connell.

Boston Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. A more complete obituary and online condolences may be made at www.bostonfuneralhome.net.

The family thanks the caring nurses, staff, and cooks at the Portage County Health Care Center, especially those on the East Wing, for the thoughtful attention, love and good food Mom received. They were all her “honeys”.