Obituary of Irene Groba Cottingham

Irene Bobbie Nell Groba Cottingham entered into her heavenly home on June 10, 2014 at the age of 89. She was born on December 3, 1924 in Taylor, Texas, the youngest of 12 children, to Ernst Groba and Annie Aschlimann Groba. Irene was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Ralph Cottingham, her parents, and 12 siblings, Louise Zimmerman, Wilhelm Groba, Ella Groba, Hedwig Groba, Rose Groba, Marie Groba, Ernest Groba, Alfred “Fred” Groba, Anna Madaline Groba, Edward John “Buddy” Groba, Lorine Groba, and Evelyn Groba. She was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Taylor and confirmed on April 2, 1939. Irene married Ralph Cottingham on July 11, 1953. They left Taylor shortly after their wedding, purchased a mobile home, and traveled to several states where Ralph’s job as an engineer took them. Irene enjoyed the many people she met along the way. After a few years, they settled in Pensacola, Florida where they owned and managed a mobile home park for many years, making many life-long friends. Irene was also a faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pensacola since 1970. Irene lead an amazing life, despite her visual handicap. She loved the white sands of the Pensacola beaches, swimming, fishing, exercising, gardening, cooking, blueberry picking, and especially dancing. Irene touched so many lives. She loved to talk, tell long stories, listen to audio books and FOX news. She was proud to be a Republican. Irene made people feel welcome with her bright smile, quick wit, heartwarming laugh and fun-loving sense of humor. Irene was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ralph, in 2003. She moved to Houston in 2010 to be closer to her family. During the past few years, she has been lovingly cared for at The Barton House in Sugarland, Texas. Often, Irene could not remember her caregiver’s names, so she would give them loving nicknames, such as Sunflower, Sweetpea and Bumblebee. Many nieces, nephews and friends were touched by Irene in various seasons of her life. We are blessed that God provided this jewel to us and thank Him for the many wonderful years with Irene. Memorial services for her Houston area family and friends will be held at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 Broadway, Pearland, Texas on Saturday, June 14, at 2:00 p.m. On Monday, June 16, services will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Harris-Morris Memorial Chapel, 2278 Airport Boulevard, Pensacola, Florida. Interment will follow at 11:45 a.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with her husband, Ralph. If desired, memorials may be made to the church Irene dearly loved, St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4600 N. 9th Avenue, Pensacola, Florida 32503.