Eugene 'Gene' A. Cole

Eugene Gene A. Cole, 75, of Mason City, died Tuesday, June 1, 2010. A Funeral Mass will be held 3:00 PM Friday, June 4, 2010 at St. Josephs Catholic Church, 302 5th Street SE with Rev. Craig Steimel officiating and assisted by Pastor Rose Marie Nack. Interment will be in the Grafton Cemetery, Grafton, Iowa. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Thursday at St. Josephs Catholic Church. The Scriptural Wake service will begin at 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Gene Cole Memorial Fund. The memorial contributions will later be distributed to selected charitable organiations.

Gene was born August 23, 1934 in Osage, Iowa the son of Floyd and Lydia (Borchardt) Cole. He graduated from Plymouth High School in 1951. Gene married Janice Hartwig December 30, 1956 in Grafton. Following her death, he would later marry Mary Pat Gilles June 16, 1983. In his professional life, Gene farmed many years in the Grafton area, loved the land and was good steward of the land. He and his family owned and operated Cole Bros. Seed Business. After retiring from farming, Gene worked as a sales associate with American Realty specializing in agricultural sales. On his personal side, Gene loved going fishing with his buddies. He earned his pilots license and was passionate about flying his plane. He gained notoriety and many friends while promoting Grafton Turkey Days with his grilling expertise. His popularity grew with family and friends as his apple pie baking skills were mastered. He was one of the original planners and participants of the KGLO Tractor Ride. Gene was very active in community betterment; if something needed to be done he would lead the way or lend a helping hand. Gene served many organizations in a variety of capacities including being on the board of directors at Wells Fargo Bank. While living and farming in the Grafton area Gene was an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church; his can-do attitude was displayed in the variety of roles he assumed. Recently, Gene became a member of St. Josephs Catholic Church and loved being with his new religious family. Most of all, he treasured the time spent with family and friends.

Gene is survived by his wife, Mary Pat of Mason City; children, Candi (David) Feldt of St. Ansgar, Kevin (Mary) Cole of Grafton, Renae (Scott) Weghorst of Fishers, Indiana, Tom (Laurie) Gilles of Apple Valley, Minnesota; grandchildren, Whitney and Cole Feldt, Adam and Garrett Cole, Christian and John Ryan Weghorst, Grace Gilles; sister-in-law, Charlotte Cole of Grafton; nephew, Michael (Nicole) Cole of Manly and their children Mitchell and Ryan; niece, Michelle (Andy) Hill of Manly and their children Hannah and Cecelia.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Lydia Cole; his first wife, Janice Cole; and his brother, Gary Cole.

Memorials:
Memorials may be directed to the Gene Cole Memorial Fund. The memorial contributions will later be distributed to selected charitable organziations.

Cemetery:
Grafton Cemetery, Grafton, Iowa

Visitation:
From 4:00 to 7:00 PM Thursday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church; the Scriptural Wake service will follow at 7:00 PM

Service:
3:00 PM Friday, June 4, 2010 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church