Arnold "Socky" Courtier

Arnold Darrel (Socky) Courtier, one of three children of Charles James and Cleo (Peace) Courtier, was born at his parent's home in Hasting, Iowa on November 28, 1937. He grew up in Hastings and graduated from Hastings High School in 1955. He was proud of the fact that he was in the top two of his graduating class of two. Socky was also awarded a basketball scholarship but chose to pursue a career with his father as a bricklayer. In 1960 to 1962, he faithfully served in the United States Army in France where he used his skills as a bricklayer.
Socky and Linda Good were united in marriage at the Hastings Methodist Church on June 11, 1960. They made their home in Hastings and were blessed with two sons, Jeffrey Charles and Joel Adam.
On November 28, 1996, Socky and Zora Gay Finchem were married in their home in Hastings. The addition of Gay's children expanded their family to seven children.
Socky was a proud member of the Bricklayers Union Local #1 of Omaha, Nebraska for 50 years and was employed by Seedorff Masonry Inc. for over 34 years. He retired in 2001, but continued to work part-time laying brick with John Paladino. Socky had served as Hastings City Marshall and as vice president of the Hastings Cemetery Association. His enjoyments included going fishing with his boys and being with his grandchildren. He loved living close and spending time with his youngest granddaughter, Gweny Bacon.
In February of 2007, Socky was diagnosed with cancer. He died at the Clarkson Hospital in Omaha on July 10, 2007 at the age of 69 years, 7 months, and 12 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Cleo Courtier, an infant sister Joyce Courtier and brother James Hoagan Courtier.
Socky is survived by his wife Gay of Hastings; sons Jeff and wife Sue Courtier of Glenwood, Iowa, Joel Courtier of Hastings and his special friend Kristin Perkins of Emerson, Iowa; stepchildren, Sandra Hagen of Omaha, NE, Donna Whitt of Clarinda, IA, Brenda Boyle and husband John of Anamosa, IA, Leon Finchem of Malvern, IA, Sheri Bacon and husband Joe of Hastings; nephew Rick Courtier and wife Tina of Omaha; 21 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; first wife Linda Schilb of Clarinda, IA; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Memorials suggested to:
Hastings Cemetery Association
Hastings Methodist Church
DaVita Dialysis Center - Shenandoah, Iowa