Ivy was born on May 28, 1941 in Douglas, WY to Lucile (Hytrek) and Ivan Gore. She attended elementary and primary schools in Douglas, Sheridan, and Cheyenne, WY. She then moved to Tucson, Arizona where she attended Salpointe High School graduating with the class of 1959.
After graduation, she moved to Denver, CO where she worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital. While in Denver, she volunteered at Catholic Charities USO, where she met her future husband, David Watercott, who was serving in the US Air Force. The couple was married on August 6, 1960 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. They were transferred to Virginia where they started their family. After David’s discharge they moved to MN, where they lived for only two years, before moving to CA. It was there that Ivy learned to sew, making most her children’s clothing. She also learned to decorate cakes.
In 1978, the family moved back to MN and settled in Isanti, MN. Ivy dabbled in many business ventures. She taught cake decorating, candy making, creating gingerbread houses, and making panoramic Easter eggs through Cambridge Community Education. She sold yellow ribbon products, and opened Sweet Ivy’s Arts & Gift store at the Creamery Mall, which she ran for many years. She later worked at Herman’s Bakery in Cambridge after selling her store to them. Ivy worked for Bob & Mary Koep at Koep’s Village Bakery in North Branch, where she retired from. She also worked as a CNA for a short period of time.
In her spare time she decorated cakes for weddings, birthdays, baptisms, and many other special occasion for her family and friends. Ivy enjoyed anything arts & crafts related; including crocheting, scrapbooking, poetry writing, and song writing. One of her songs was even played at church for Christmas. Ivy had a passion for making rosaries for family, friends, first communicants at her local church, and for foreign missions. She was very involved in her church with the women’s groups, teaching religious education, retreats, and conferences. Jesus and his mother, Mary played a significant role throughout Ivy’s life. She was an avid pro-life advocate.
Ivy will be sadly missed by her husband, David; seven children, Laureen (Kurt) Waite, Thomas (Juku) Watercott, Jerry (Anke) Watercott, Teresa Watercott, Anne (Brad Dutcher) Kotzenmacher, Joseph Watercott, Larry (Denyse) Watercott; 12 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and sister, Trudy Loqa.
She is preceded in death by her parents; grandsons, Lucas Kotzenmacher, Alex Kotzenmacher; granddaughter, Michelle Watercott; sister, Iuene Hewitt.
Arrangements are with Strike Life Tributes in Isanti.
David and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Ivy’s passing. She sounds like a very talented, caring and faithful woman. My sympathies to all of you.
Diann Paulson
I never had the opportunity to meet Ivetta “Ivy” personally but I know she must to have been a great lady because she raised a very special son in Larry.
Rob and I offers our heartfelt condolences to the family. We mourn with you in your loss.
Peace and Comfort
Rob and Alice Burrows
Dave, so sorry for your loss, prayers for you and your family.
So sorry to hear about Ivy’s passing. She was a lovely person and always very kind. It was a privilege to have known her. I haven’t seen her for many years, but the years I did were memorable. I remember when we talked her into having a cake decorating shop at the Creamery Mall. I’m glad she got to move on to working at Hermans Bakery. Love and sympathy to all your family.