Cora "Corky" Klatt

Cora Lou “Corky” Klatt, 92, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, August 8, 2024.

Graveside services will be 1:30 PM Saturday, September 28, 2024 in McIntosh Cemetery in McIntosh, New Mexico, with Pastor Jonathan D. Richard officiating.

Cora was born to Alfred David West and Alma Edna Blackler West on Sept 6th, 1931, in Oregon City, Oregon. She was the next to youngest of eight children. She grew up in Oregon before taking off to California where later she worked as an Operator for Bell Telephone Company.

A coworker set her up on a blind date with a Navy man named James E Klatt (Jim).  Soon thereafter Jim got out of the military and went back to his hometown of McIntosh, New Mexico where he called Cora on the phone and said, “Why don’t you get on the bus, come out here and marry me?” She jumped on a bus and on August 24th, 1952, she married the love of her life in Estancia, New Mexico.

The couple made Estancia valley their home for a few years until Jim went back into the Navy and served again in California where their son Gary was born in 1957.  After which they moved back to the Estancia valley and set up home in Estancia. In 1962 their daughter Janet was born.

Around 1968 Cora began working for the Estancia Public school system where she became the assistant librarian for the Estancia schools.  She worked for the school system both in Elementary and High school for over 32 years.  Cora loved to travel and during those later years of working for the schools she traveled as a sponsor and advisor to several of the school groups going to New York City, Washington DC and other areas all over the United States. One of her favorite trips was to Scotland with her brother and sisters as they searched for their family heritage. After retiring she loved traveling and visiting family and friends.

Cora loved the Lord Jesus Christ and while living in the Estancia Valley, she was an active member of First Baptist Church.  She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary serving there in Estancia for many years.

In 2012 due to health reasons, she moved from her home of over 60 years in Estancia valley to Texas where she could be closer to her family.  She never could get used to the Texas Panhandle winds.

Cora was best known for always having a smile on her face.

Cora is preceded in death by her parents, all her brothers and sisters, her husband of 32 years James Edward Klatt.

She is survived by her son, Gary Klatt and wife Debbie of San Antonio, their children, Dessa and Kellin of San Antonio; her daughter, Janet Conley and husband Charles of Amarillo,  their children David of Oklahoma, James of Amarillo, Logan of North Carolina and Chris of Amarillo; eight great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; and many, many friends.

The family would like to thank all her caregivers and hospice workers you were such a blessing to her and to us.