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Donna Cole
DONNA COLE
Cedar Rapids
Donna Marilyn Cole was born mid-winter on Dec. 29, 1929, on a farm near LuVerne, Iowa, to Hazel and Jessie Fisher. Her mother later re-married Samuel Beatty, or "Pappy," who would be Donna's stepdad growing up. Donna's older sister, Mildred, was almost a second mother to her.
As a girl, Donna grew up independent, self-sufficient and smart, living on a country farm and loving nature. She was homecoming queen in high school and graduated college top of her class. In college, she met and married James Preston Cole, an idealistic theologian. Together, Pres and Donna created a family with sons David and Eric.
Donna was fiercely supportive of Pres as he marched for civil rights in Mississippi, pursued his Ph.D., and developed a successful career as college professor and dean. While raising her family, Donna returned to teaching, caring especially for children with learning disabilities.
Continuing her education, she earned a master's degree while battling a second of three bouts with cancer. The cancer never got her. As eldest son David once commented, "There's no quit in that girl."
In retirement, Donna turned to poetry, publishing a number of her creations. During the last few years, she was afflicted by a condition that gradually eroded her ability to form memories. As continuity slipped away, it left behind something constant. Her indomitable urge to "face each day" became an urge to "face every moment." This was a woman who never gave up.
Donna passed away peacefully at the Northfield Retirement Community in Northfield, Minn., on Monday morning, March 23, 2015, survived by sons David and Eric, their wives, Nancy and Kate, grandchildren, Bryan and Meghan, Atia and Liana, and great-grandchildren, "Hazel Jane" and another, soon to be.
A celebration of life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at Lovely Lane United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, officiated by the Rev. Paul Wilcox. Inurnment will take place at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in the Garden of Tranquility. Friends may call from 10 until 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.
Online condolences may be sent at www.cedarmemorial.com.
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