Rick Cole 1952-2022

Fredrick E. “Rick” Cole Jr., 69, Denison, died Saturday, March 12, 2022, at his home.

He was born June 20, 1952 in Hiawatha, the son of Fred and Mary Bechtold Cole. He attended Leona and Highland schools and served four years in the U.S. Navy and two years in the Navy Reserves.

Mr. Cole worked in various occupations. He farmed, applied fertilizer for Valley Grain and Fertilizer and was a truck driver for Georgia Pacific. His last job was as the curator of the Midwest Classics Tractor Museum in Highland.

He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Mayetta, Mayetta Knights of Columbus Council 9535 and Highland American Legion Post 358.

He married Sharon Lutz on June 4, 1976. She survives.

Other survivors include a daughter, Rachel Cole, Petersburg, Va.; a son, Mark Cole and wife Caitlyn, Holton; a brother, Emmett Cole and wife Kathy, Highland; four sisters, Melinda Wareham and husband Bob, Whiting, Virginia Whetstine, Highland, Carol Kilmer and husband Craig, Kirksville, Mo., and Mary Schneider and husband Ronnie, Highland; and a grandson, Dalton.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, John Whetstine.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 18 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Burial with military honors will follow in Highland Cemetery. Mr. Cole will lie in state at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton. The casket will remain closed. A rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Thursday at the church, followed by visitation until 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holton Community Hospital Hospice, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1034, Holton, KS 66436.