Marie Cole

Hudson, SD: Marie Cole, 92, of Hudson, SD died Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at the Fellowship Village in Inwood, IA. A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the Hudson Lutheran Church with Rev. Lori Marty officiating. Private family inurnment will be at the Eden Cemetery in Hudson. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Marie A. Cole was born September 21, 1921 to Christian and Elsie (Johnson) Serck on a Sioux County IA farm near Hudson, SD. She attended school in Hudson, graduating in 1939. While in high school she invited Rolfe Cole to an ice skating party, the beginning of a relationship of more than 70 years. They married in 1940, and together they farmed and raised their family on the Cole farm south of Hudson. She remained there after her husband's death in 2010 until farm life became too difficult, requiring a move to assisted living. Marie was an accomplished homemaker and gardener who willingly served on many church and community organizations. Her eagerness to learn and to try something new was reflected by her collection of books, craft items, and recipes. She often shared relevant news articles and ideas with her 'talented and exceptional' grandchildren. She kept the toy drawer full of both new and old games and toys and the cookie jar full of treats. Some of the favorite toys were those hand-crafted by her father Chris. Gardening catalogs crowded the mailbox during cold winter months, and bulb orders arrived even after arthritis prevented her from planting them herself. Family gatherings were an occasion to celebrate, especially if they included grandkids of all ages.

Her spirit will live on in the memories of her sons, Rolfe (Polly Etzel) Cole of Sioux Falls, SD and Jim (Judy) Cole of Hudson, SD; daughters, Carol (Darwin) Groth of Rock Valley, IA and Becky (Roy) Burchett of Claremont, CA. She will also be missed by 7 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Eunice Vandenbos of Eau Claire, WI; and sister-in-law, Carrie Serck of Hudson.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 2010; brother, Bernard Serck; and sister, Betty Heuer.