Gerald Cole

Gerald Allan Cole, 86, formerly of Curtis, Nebraska, died February 1, 2021 at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Gerald was born May 18, 1934, in Curtis, Neb., to Everett and Martha (Clawson) Cole.  He was raised on the family farm south of Curtis attending his first eight years of school in a country school. He was active in sports, playing American Legion Baseball, and football and basketball in high school. He graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis in 1951.  He returned to the family farm where he farmed and ranched for 39 years.  In September, 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Gladys Hanson of Loomis, Neb., and to this union three children were born.  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Curtis, and he was a dedicated fan of all the sports and activities of his children and grandchildren.  Gerald worked at the North Platte and McCook Livestock Auctions for many years, making lots of lifetime friends.  In 1990 he retired from farming and moved to Curtis but continued to raise cattle until 2002. Along with a love of his family and farming/ranching, he enjoyed fishing, watching rodeos, Husker Sports, the Kansas City Chiefs, visiting with friends and being a member of the famous Co-op Coffee Crew.

Preceding Gerald in death include his parents; brother, Don Cole; sister, Devona Roudebush; sister-in-law, Claudia Cole; brothers-in-law, William (Bill) Kleinow, Rod Roudebush, Lawrence Hanson, Wilmer Hanson, Roger Hanson, Earl Hanson Jr, Harry Hollinger, Dean Almquist, and Bob Novak; sisters-in-law, Elva Hanson, Ruth Hanson, Isla Hanson, Evelyn Almquist, Dorothy Novak, Mary Hanson, and Doris Hanson.

Survivors include his wife Gladys of North Platte; son Jim Cole (Sandi) of Hayes Center; two daughters, Jean Perkins (Ron) of McCook and Judy (Terry) Elson of North Platte; one brother Wayne Cole of Lake Forest, Calif.; one sister, Connie (Lanny) Bellamy of Lincoln; two sisters-in-law, Marj Cole of Atwater, Calif., and Doris Hollinger of Omaha; one brother-in-law, Sherrod Hanson of Loomis; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Curtis Ambulance Fund.

Memorial Services will be held at First United Methodist Church - Curtis, February 18, 2021 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Tim McCrary officiating.