Cora "Corky" Belle Newland

Cora “Corky” Newland

Corky Ritter Erickson Newland passed away at her home surrounded by family on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. She was born August 29, 1931 in Grants Pass, Oregon. She was the second daughter of W. E. "Al" Ritter and Mildred "Irene" Kaser-Ritter.
After their parents separated Corky and her sister, Anna, were raised by their grandparents, Joseph and Anna Kaser.

Corky graduated from Grants Pass High School and began working at the Credit Bureau. At 21 she married Dale Erickson. Their family expanded to 4 with the births of Michael and Susan. After many years of marriage, she and Dale divorced.

In 1974 she married Dietz Newland. They enjoyed camping, fishing horseback riding and attending various Jazz Festivals. They partnered in several business ventures; a Bookkeeping Service, Newland Products, and finally as Realtors.

Corky treasured time spent with family and friends. She excelled at sewing, knitting and quilting which led to gifts for family and friends.

After Dietz passed, she volunteered for the SMART Reading Program and the auxiliary at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center. She was blessed to be part of PEO EX and looked forward to the meetings.

Corky is preceded in death by her husband, her parents and grandparents, along with her sister, Anna Rose, half-sister Harlene Ritter and cousins Phil and Neil Kaser of Roseburg. She is survived by her children, Mike (Joni) Erickson of Albany, OR and Sue Mendenhall of Medford along with her grandchildren, Erin (Steve) Scow of Medford and Jennifer Mendenhall of Talent and one great-grandson Monte Scow.

Special thank you to Corky’s nephews and their families: Frank Rose, Tom & Eileen Rose and Robert Werch for watching after Corky while she lived in GP. Also, the family wishes to express our gratitude to Asante Hospice and the staff at Brookdale Medford for the care and attention you graciously gave to Corky in her final days.

A service to celebrate Corky’s life will be on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 1:00 pm in the Chapel at Hull & Hull 612 NW A Street Grants Pass, OR 97526 with an interment after at Hillcrest Memorial Park.