Katreen M. Korte, a Northern Virginia resident for 57 years and the founder of Korte Realty, died of natural causes at her home in Falls Church on Dec.2. She obtained her real estate agent’s license in the early 1950’s and worked in succession for Realtors C.M. Hailey, The Moncure Agency, and Mary Munson before obtaining her broker’s license in 1965 and opening Korte Realty in Falls Church City. As Fairfax County developed during the 1970’s and 1980’s, Korte Realty brokered the sale of homes, office buildings and parcels of land. Some of these were strategic purchases by parishes and ministries of the Richmond Catholic Diocese.
She was known for her stylish dress, broad smile, direct manner, negotiating skill, and high standard of ethics. Mrs. Korte was active in the real estate business and the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce until she was in her mid-80’s. She was an outspoken advocate of encouraging commercial development in the City as a means of strengthening its tax base. She was particularly proud of having served on the Streetscape Commission that guided the beginnings of the beautification of Broad Street in Falls Church during the 1980’s.
Mrs. Korte was born in Richmond, VA, and spent her early years there. She had a love of music and singing. She sang in the choirs of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Richmond, St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Williamsburg, and St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church, often as the soloist. Mrs. Korte’s husband George died in 1987. He was also a small business owner, a land surveyor in private practice.
Mrs. Korte is survived by 3 children, Edward Korte of Tucson, Treena Rinaldi of Oakton, and George Korte Jr. of Fairfax Station, her sister Julia Bache of Richmond, VA, 9 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.
Bishop Thomas J. Welsh, Bishop Emeritus of Allentown and brother-in-law of Mrs. Korte’s deceased sister, Gay Welsh, offered the funeral mass at St. James Church in Falls Church. Three of Mrs. Korte’s grandchildren, Cindy Payne of Skaneateles, NY, John Rinaldi of Fairfax Station, and Mary Ellen Coppage of Fairfax, spoke for their cousins at the funeral, simply recounting each of the grandchildren’s fondest memories of their lively grandmother and her deep influence on their lives.
