Nola was born on September 16, 1920 to Frederick and Bertha (Midgley) Kotter in Salt Lake City, Utah, and graduated from Granite High School in 1938. During her high school years Nola lost her own mother to cancer, after which she lovingly took on the responsibility of caring for her father and younger sister Virginia.
In 1942, Nola met her brother Ralph’s favorite missionary companion Julian Lowe, and her life would never be the same again. There was an instant spark between the two, and by the time Julian left to serve in World War II one short month later, they were unofficially engaged. Their courtship continued to develop through the hundreds of letters they exchanged during wartime over the next four years, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on January 16, 1946.
In 1951, Julian took a job in Washington, D.C., so he and Nola moved their young family across the country, and thus began a 44-year adventure in the shadow of the nation’s capital. Nola and Julian raised their six children, served in numerous church callings, and were instrumental in the rapid growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Washington, D.C. area. Highlights of their church service include their involvement in the planning, construction, and opening of the Washington, D.C. Temple and Visitor’s Center, and their 18-month missionary service as Directors of the Mesa, Arizona Temple Visitors Center.
Nola created a life of beauty, devoting her talents to her home, her family, and to her faith. Nothing brought her greater joy than to see her children “walk in truth” (3 John 1:4). As the matriarch of her large family, she diligently taught her children and grandchildren the blessings of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and set a happy example for all to follow. Nola’s life of love and service touched innumerable lives, and served as a pattern for many to emulate.
Nola is survived by her six children: Judith (Edgar) Fillmore, Aurora, CO; Janice (Craig) Beck, Medford, OR; Steven (Rebecca) Lowe, Centerville, UT; Stephanie (Thomas) McGee, Salt Lake City, UT; Kathryn (Mark) Vaughn, Salisbury, PA; Karen (Keith) Shaffer, Carson City, NV; 34 grandchildren, 103 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Nola was preceded in death by her husband Julian, her brother Ralph Kotter, sister Virginia MacKay, granddaughter Melayna Fillmore, and great-grandchildren Dexter Dahle and Eli Matthews.
The family wishes to extend a very special thanks to the staff of The Wentworth at Coventry for their kindness and loving care of our mother.
Services will be held on Monday, January 25th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
6890 S. Whitmore Way, Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Viewing 12:00 pm, Funeral 1:00 pm. For those wishing to attend virtually, please go to www.facebook.com/wasatchlawnmemorial.
Link for livestream https://www.facebook.com/WasatchLawnMemorial/videos/934453477302416
