Amelia Cole

AMELIA BENTERS JOHNSON COLE

Cedar Rapids

After a lengthy illness, Amelia succumbed to her death on April 2, 2014.

Amelia was born July 25, 1937, to James and Elsie (Russell) Stiffin, in Madrid, Iowa. She graduated from

Roosevelt High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1956. After high school, Amelia married her high school sweetheart, Dennis Benters, and followed him when transferred by the U.S. Army to Germany. They resided in Stuggart and Bad Kreuznach, where her first two children, Julia and Glen, were respectively born.

We believe her father, an immigrant from Czechoslovakia, helped spur her interest in various cultures and international travel. Amelia had an adventuresome spirit, which she passed on to her children and grandchildren.

Amelia's career and marriages took her to Germany, Iowa, Texas, Georgia, California, Nevada and Arizona. Amelia and the dearest love of her life, her third husband, James L. Cole, who preceded her in death, resided in their final years in Green Valley, Ariz.

During her retirement Amelia believed in keeping busy and she sewed duffle bags, blankets and other projects for foster children. She enjoyed reading, cooking, sewing, knitting and gardening.

Amelia's parents and siblings James, Frank and Julia June preceded her in death.

Surviving siblings include Mary Myers of Marion, Virginia (James) Smetzer of Marion, Darlene (Bob) Storey of Hemet, Calif., and Franklin Stiffin of Cedar Rapids. Her legacy lives on with her children, Julia (Michael) Sorci of Johnston, Iowa, Glen Benters of Cedar Rapids, Keith (Ellen Chomet) Benters of Pasedena, Md., and Diane (Todd) Boaz of Decatur, Texas; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The family will host a private memorial service.

Memorial donations may be sent to Casa de la Luz Hospice in Tucson, Ariz.