Death is not a period ending life; it is a semicolon separating two distinct parts of it. This is so because Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; he who believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live; and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die" John 11:25-26. His living presence, made possible by His resurrection, is the guarantee and seal of that promise. Cherry Courteau, beloved wife of Orel Adrian Courteau, Mother of Cherry Ann Wiest and Monty Adrian Courteau passed into the arms of her Lord on Saturday, Aug 2 at From The Heart Adult Home. Cherry was born on October 18, 1917 at Randall, MN and grew up on a farm near that town. She graduated from Little Falls High School, attended Teacher's College in St Cloud, MN and received her teaching degree as magna cum laude. She taught in the public school systems of Minnesota and Montana. March 25, 1939 she married Orel Courteau and shortly thereafter they moved to Chinook, MT. Daughter Cherry Ann was born there and Cherry lived there during the two years her husband served in the US Marine Corps. In February of 1943 they came to the Tri City area where son Adrian was born in Pasco. Cherry became a member of Pasco First Lutheran Church in August 1947. She was active in the church as she participated in committee work, ladies groups and children's activities. She joined the National Music Teacher's Association in 1951 and was a well known piano teacher in the area. She retired in June, 1990. Her life was dedicated to her God, church, family, friends and students. Cherry taught and led all she touched with her extraordinary abilities and unwavering example of love and caring. She held herself to the highest standard and inspired all around her to match it. Those left to mourn her passing are her husband, Orel, in the home; daughter and son-in-law, Cherry Ann and Virgil Wiest, Wapato, WA; son Monty Adrian Courteau, Seattle, WA; sister Audrey Didow, Hope Mills, North Carolina; sister-in-law, Jeanice Wise, Richland, WA; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Cherry was preceded in death by her parents, Monty and Anna Wise, brother Nester Wise, sister Mary Anne Blevins and brothers-in-law George Didow & Lawrence Blevins.