"Sandy Laugk....I was the student who Sandra Snook got sent out with into the hall for talking too much! I teach at Lincoln High School now, and am proud to say Mr. Cole was my teacher. I knew his wife from the McCombs library. I learned so much in that anthropology class.Mr. Cole was wise and kind.I remembered his wife saying he only slept very few hours per night and was always busy. RIP Mr. Cole. Take care, Cole family."
In loving memory of
D.C. Cole
March 28, 1936 - June 26, 2020
D.C. Cole, 84, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Friday morning, June 26, 2020 at Willow Gardens Care Center in Marion, Iowa.
Due to COVID-19 concerns a private graveside service and burial celebrating D.C.'s life will be held at East Iron Hill Cemetery, rural Maquoketa, Iowa. There is no public visitation. The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family.
Donald Charles Cole was born on March 28, 1936 in Nebraska City, Nebraska to Olin and Valetta (Locke) Cole. He grew up in Nebraska and southwestern United States.
He graduated from Nebraska City High School and later received his Doctorate from the University of New Mexico in American Studies. He served his country in the United States Army, Rangers and Special Forces, from 1952 until receiving an honorable discharge and earning the rank of colonel in 1962. He married Kathleen Ann Parmer on April 3, 1971 in Maquoketa, Iowa.
D.C. taught high school in Ames, Iowa and later at Des Moines Lincoln High School. He and Kathy then moved to Albuquerque where he received his Doctorate in 1981. He worked for the College of Santa Fe from 1982 to 1987 as an teacher associate professor and coordinator of college classes for the state's prison system. From 1987 until his retirement in 2005, DC was a professor of Multi-Cultural Studies at Minnesota State University Moorhead. In 1988 he became a published author with a book titled "The Chiricahua Apaches, 1846 - 1876".
To those who knew him well, D. C. will be remembered for his quick wit, quiet observations, wonderful stories, and lively debates. To everyone else he will be remembered as a man of few words, though an excellent public speaker. He was an avid reader with a gift for learning languages, and an encyclopedic memory for history; a collector of books, firearms, knives, and Beanie Babies (thanks to his youngest daughter). He loved wildlife, target shooting, the outdoors, and especially a large and an unforgettable dog Max.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Kathleen Cole of Marion, IA; daughters, Melody (Tom) Giles of Boise, ID, and Katherine Cole of Minneapolis, MN;
and brothers, Robert (Jackie Gfeller) Cole of Brock, NE, and John (Janee) Cole of Auburn, NE. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister Judith (Eugene) Roberts.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or to the charity of the donor's choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"I was a student of Mr. Coles back at Des Moines Lincoln. He taught me American history and it was one of the best classes I?ve taken in my lifetime if education. He was one of the first people in my memory to teach me to think outside my own culture. He pushed and prodded and was just a fantastic teacher. Ok - he also sent me to the hall for talking too much with my friend, but he smiled while he did it. I am traveling through Arizona right now and have been listening to the book The Apache Wars. That made me remember Mr. Cole again and I wondered where he was. I hoped I might connect with him but, alas, I am too late. To his wife and daughters - know he made a difference. He is remembered. "
"Leslie told me of your loss, Kathy. So sorry to hear. My thoughts are with you. Sending hugs and prayers from good old Moorhead!!!! Yvonne Norgren. "
"Kathy and family, I am sorry to ear of Mr. Cole\'s death. He was so kind to come and talk to our AFS student and it was one of Pat\'s highlights. My heart is with you. Betty Miller"
"I just read DC Cole obituary. At my surprise my Mother was a Cole from Latternville Iowa.My Mother was Mildred Cole Maas. Her father was Rollin and Thersa Cole.What is DC right name or did he just go by DC ! Sorry for your loss! Donna Maas Weydert"
"Tom and Melody Giles Boise, Idaho Missing someone greatly upon their passing is the price we pay for the great love we enjoyed in life. You will meet again on the other side."
"I am a first cousin of Don: Oh what fun we used to have at Grandmas! Don\'s great tales were beyond belief. So sorry I never got to know Don\'s wife or kids. Again, I am so sorry. Sincerely, Jack Cole, Lincoln, NE"
"Dear Kathy, Please accept our sincerest condolences. With love, Mark and Mary Hanchar"
"D.C. Cole was a mentor, colleague, and friend extraordinaire. He was a man of integrity and kindness as well as a person who held vast knowledge and experience. He was endlessly interesting to talk with and a dependable colleague. It was my honor to work with him and learn from him the last 14 years of his teaching career. We didn?t always agree about everything but we enjoyed the exchange of diverse viewpoints and truly respected each other. He generously shared his knowledge of teaching with me and nurtured my growth into a stronger educator. For that I will always be grateful. Beyond teaching, however, the greatest gift to me and my family was the deep friendship my family developed with his family. It brought long lasting bonds and true joy into our lives?especially over good food! I will miss his assuring voice, the twinkle in his eyes, our deep discussions and family brunches and holidays together. Zachary, Ebonne and I send our strong embraces and deepest sympathies to Kathy, Kate, and the rest of D.C.?s family for the void his absence leaves in each of our hearts. D.C., may you rest in peace. You will be missed! Phyllis "
"The voice is silent, but the stories live on! God Bless you all! "