Nora Ehlers Gunter
April 22, 1923 ~ October 23, 2002
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Nora Irene Gunter, 79, of Hendersonville Road, Asheville, died Wednesday, October 23, 2002, at her home.
Nora was born April 22, 1923 in Altamont, Illinois, to the late Fred and Enola Ehlers. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Steel Eugene Gunter, her identical twin, Ora Lyons and her older sister, Margie Woodard.
She is survived by her son, Dr. Coke Steel Gunter and his wife Kathryn of Hickory; her granddaughters, Allison Gunter of Telluride, CO and Courtney Gunter of San Francisco, CA; her sister, Verna Pettker of St. Louis, MO and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Nora spent a brief period of time in Missouri during WWII where she met her husband, Gene. After the war they moved to Asheville where she became executive secretary to the Asheville Jaycees. She followed this by becoming Asheville’s director of Civil Defense, one of very few women in the United States at that time who served in that position. Subsequently she worked as Volunteer Coordinator of the American Red Cross. In later years Nora was the event planner and coordinator of the Asheville/Hendersonville Holiday Inns and then Director/Coordinator of Volunteers for the Asheville/Buncombe County United Way.
In her retirement, she volunteered at the Rathburn Center, the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, the Diana Wortham Center as a docent and served on the board of directors for the Eliada Home for Children. She and her husband, Gene, were 55 year members of Central United Methodist Church.
In Roman times, the highest honor that could be bestowed upon a person was to be called “Citizen”. Her whole life, Nora Gunter gave to her community and family. She was a true “Citizen”.
Graveside services will precede the memorial service at 10:00 am at Shepherd Memorial Park in Hendersonville.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Monday at Central United Methodist Church with the Reverend Doctor Robert Blackburn officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please give your time and treasure to your community, as Nora Gunter did.
Dear Coke,
Your mother was one of the sweetest ladies that my family has ever met. Every time that my family saw her she always had a smile on her face and special glow. I know how special she was to you and was special to many others. She will be missed, but I hope that you find peace knowing that she is in a good place. And will be with you always.
Tyler, Beth, and Catie
My prayers are with her family. I worked with Nora at Holiday Inn West she was a sweet lady
COKE,SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR MOM,SHE WAS A NICE LADY…I KNEW HER FROM WORKING WITH GENE AT SKYLAND OLDS…CHERISH HER MEMORIES THEY ARE FOREVER,,GOD BLESS,JEAN
I worked with Nora at Holiday Inn she was a swet Lady May God Bless
Dear Coke,
If ever there was an angel in this world, your mother was it. She came into my life shortly after my own mother had passed away. Apart from the common interest we shared in volunteer work, your mother had the gift of truly understanding the feelings in someone else’s heart. We shared so much during our daily morning walks…current events, talks about our family members and many, many laughs. That is what I will always remember most about your mother…her laughter and good humor. She took such pleasure in everything she did and all those who were in her life, especially you and her grand daughters. Her beautiful blue eyes would light up with pleasure and delight whenever she mentioned you and them. She was immensely proud of each of you. Your trip to California together this summer was such a joy to her as was her happiness in your marriage and new home.
I loved your mother very much, Coke and will miss her more than I can express. She enriched my life as she did all those she can in contact with. She was truly a ‘ray of sunshine’ in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know her.
Anne
Dear Coke,
If ever there was an angel in this world, your mother was it. She came into my life shortly after my own mother had passed away. Apart from the common interest we shared in volunteer work, your mother had the gift of truly understanding the feelings in someone else’s heart. We shared so much during our daily morning walks…current events, talks about our family members and many, many laughs. That is what I will always remember most about your mother…her laughter and good humor. She took such pleasure in everything she did and all those who were in her life, especially you and her grand daughters. Her beautiful blue eyes would light up with pleasure and delight whenever she mentioned you and them. She was immensely proud of each of you. Your trip to California together this summer was such a joy to her as was her happiness in your marriage and new home.
I loved your mother very much, Coke and will miss her more than I can express. She enriched my life as she did all those she can in contact with. She was truly a ‘ray of sunshine’ in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know her.
Dear Coke,
If ever there was an angel in this world, your mother was it. She came into my life shortly after my own mother had passed away. Apart from the common interest we shared in volunteer work, your mother had the gift of truly understanding the feelings in someone else’s heart. We shared so much during our daily morning walks…current events, talks about our family members and many, many laughs. That is what I will always remember most about your mother…her laughter and good humor. She took such pleasure in everything she did and all those who were in her life, especially you and her grand daughters. Her beautiful blue eyes would light up with pleasure and delight whenever she mentioned you and them. She was immensely proud of each of you. Your trip to California together this summer was such a joy to her as was her happiness in your marriage and new home.
I loved your mother very much, Coke and will miss her more than I can express. She enriched my life as she did all those she can in contact with. She was truly a ‘ray of sunshine’ in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know her.
We are sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Dr.Gunter&Family,
I Pray That God Will Comfort You
and your family in the lost of your mother.
GOG BLESS YOU
Dr.Gunter&Family,
I Pray That God Will Comfort You
and your family in the lost of your mother.
GOD BLESS YOU
Please accept our dearest sympathies for the loss of your
mother. You will be in our
thoughts and prayers.
Dear Coke, Allison, and Courtney,
We were so sorry to read of your great loss. You have our deepest sympathy. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Our love to you all.
Dr. Gunter…Coke, We are indeed saddened to hear of your mom’s passing. We know you will miss her. Our prayers are with you. In reading about her life and community work, I found myself wishing that I had known her. She was indeed lovely and I am sure she took great pride in another accomplishment—her son. Our deepest sympathy. Sandy, Al, and Troy Lawrence
A poem for the Gunter family:
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints in snow,
I am the sunlight and ripened grain.
I am the gentle Autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning hush,
I am the swift upflinging rush
of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
God bless and keep you in this time of sorrow.
Anne
Dr. Gunter, I am terribly sorry for the loss of your Mother. She was a beautiful Lady with a great Son. You were Blessed. Now she is Blessed for she is home with God. My prayers are with your Family in these tough times. With Deepest Sympathy, Sue Bolick & Family