COLE, Mary Elizabeth (1925-2022)

COLE

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/30/2023 at 19:09:44

Mary Elizabeth Cole
(February 10, 1925 - August 6, 2022)

Mary Elizabeth (Blake) Cole was born February 10, 1925, and peacefully passed away at 97 years old, August 06, 2022 in her own home. Mary was one of 5 children of E. Floyd and Angeline (Howe) Blake. Mary married Ernest Cole January 23, 1944. They were married for 56 years until his death. Before marriage, Mary worked as a telephone switchboard operator. Mary was a particular homemaker for her husband Ernest and their three children: Rose Mary, Richard, and Denise. Mary took care of other children before accepting a school cook position for hundreds of children at Indianola Irving Elementary School, until she retired. She loved the children and sometimes stood in for a parent or grandparent when one was needed. Mary was known for her sewing skills. She skillfully sewed anything from drapes to formals. She also knitted beautiful baby items. Her crocheted dish cloths and pot holders were a favorite gift to give. Plus, the afghans and quilts she labored over were gorgeous and she was proud to give them as gifts. Mary was also known for her cooking and baking skills, making yummy pies, cakes and cookies. Spanish rice was requested for her to bring to most pot lucks. The dish was known as Mary’s Spanish Rice. Mary loved to play card games and board games with friends and family. Everyone knew never to cheat at games with Grandma Cole. Ernest and Mary loved to camp with the INCAHIAS camping club. They pulled their camping trailer to regularly scheduled campouts and took other trips with family and friends. After Ernest passed, Mary longed to continue camping and fondly held on to those memories of the past. To know Mary was to love her kindness, thoughtfulness and shared talents. She showed her love through her actions and not necessarily by what she said. Mary loved God. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Margaret (Howard) Clark, Guy (Lois) Blake, Chuck (Twyla) Blake, Kenny (Yoshiko) Blake; and a granddaughter, Rebecca Anne. Left to treasure abundant memories are her children, Rose Mary Thiel (Dennis), Richard Cole (Marilyn), Denise Anderson; grandchildren, Bryan (Heather), Scott (Leigh), Vicki, Matthew (Karley), Zachary (Angie), Nathan, Joshua (Stacey), Rachel, Jacob (Samantha), Gabriel, Cole, Angelynn (Justin); great-grandchildren, Ashley (Bryan), Lindsey, Brylee, Grant (Merrisa), Miles, Madison, Abigail, Ianna, Mykaela (Jeff), Mylea, Mykenna, Kaitlynn, Coleton, Alania, Hannah, Nick, Loren, Adam, Gabrielle, Lily, Duke, Jack, Emily, Andrew, Ella, and Elise. Services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, August 11, 2022 at Thrive Church, 707 East Euclid Ave., Indianola, IA 50125, with burial following in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Cemetery. The visitation will be held prior to services from 10 to 11 a.m., at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mary’s honor to Thrive Church. [This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/]