Lila Mae Cole, 89, of Kenyon, passed away on Friday, January 12, 2024 of complications from COVID, receiving wonderful comfort care at District One Hospital in Faribault.
She was born July 27, 1934 in Kenyon to Erwin and Bertha (Danielson) Luebke. Lila grew up in Kenyon and graduated from Kenyon High School as a member of the 1952 class. After school Lila met John Cole and they were united in marriage at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenyon on November 20, 1955, where they were both members. Lila stayed at home to help raise their four children until they were out of school. During this time she was a bookkeeper for Cole's mobile home park in Kenyon for over 50 years, which John and Lila owned. Lila also was a bookkeeper at Curt's Cannonball Truck Plaza. She was the coordinator for Goodhue County American Red Cross, where she was recognized for her 50 years plus of service and donated over 21 gallons. Lila volunteered her time at the Kenyon Country Club, the Bowling League as Secretary/Treasurer and at First Lutheran Church helping serve meals and other areas. Lila also was a longtime member of the VFW Auxiliary.
Lila loved to garden and make her well-known lefse. She played in the Bridge club and also played every week with her neighbors. Lila loved to go bowling, play golf, and drink coffee. She was a great wife to John and a loving mother, grandma and great grandma.
She is survived by her daughters, Lyn (Charles) Clarke of Kenyon, Wendy (Darrel) Rossow of Faribault, Sherry (John) McDonald of Faribault; grandchildren, Cory Cole, Noah Clarke, Christie (Bryan) Aase, Heather (Steven) Dickey, Heidi (Beau) Winden, Scott (Julie) McDonald, Kelly (Alex) Zweber, and four step-grandchildren; great-grandchildren, Samuel and Lewis Zweber, Amelia, Beatrice, Charlie and Susanna McDonald, Austin and Logan Dickey, Loren Aase, Tyler Winden, and seven step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Jean (Lavern) Benson, Helen Porter; brother in law, Jeff (MaryPat) Cole sister-in-law, Nordis Luebke; AFS student Pattana (Aviphant) Jierwiriyapant of Thailand.
She was preceded in death by her husband John Cole; parents, Erwin (and Bertha) Luebke; son, Dean Cole; brother, Curtis Luebke; brother-in-law David Porter; niece, Catherin Lawton; brother and sister-in-law, Joan and Luverne Schlobohm.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 12PM at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kenyon, with a visitation starting one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Kenyon Cemetery in Kenyon at a later date. Memorials are preferred to First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenyon or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
