Kenneth Leslie Cole

     Kenneth Cole, age 99, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Sunday morning, November 12, 2023 at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton.

     Funeral Services will be held Friday, November 17, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wheaton with Rev. Cheryl Berg officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time at the church.  Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Military Rites will be provided by the Merton Dale American Legion Post # 80.

     Kenneth Leslie Cole was born in Wheaton, Minnesota to Henry Cole and Alma (Lundquist) Cole. He attended Country School #45 through the eighth grade, then went on to Wheaton High School. He enlisted in the Army in 1945, serving overseas in the Philippines and Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1947.  He was a lifetime member of the VFW. He married Jane Wood on June 5,1948. They moved to the farm in the fall of 1948 living there until retiring and moving to Sun City West, AZ in 1994. He enjoyed his farming years, always keeping up with the new ways and seed varieties. He served on many boards during his farming years. The ASCS, PCA, Traverse Oil, and the Church Board at the time of the merger of Gustavus Adolphus and Hope Lutheran churches.

     He always looked forward to the deer hunting and fishing trips with his buddies.  While living in Arizona he spent much of his time at the “Woodworking Club”. He built many things for his kids and grandkids.

     He enjoyed trips back to Minnesota in the summers and seeing everyone. With declining health, it was no longer possible to make the trip.  His time spent with family and grandkids was special to him. 

     Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Alma (Lundquist) Cole; sister Elvera Tonning and her husband Irving; sister Janet Olson and her husband Carl.

     He is survived by his wife Jane of seventy-five years; children Kathleen Cole Ranney; Virginia Cole; Calvin Cole; Carol Kirchberg and her husband Arnie; and Leslie Cole; eight grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the charity of your choice in memory of Kenneth Cole.