Gladys Cole

Gladys May Cole, age 89, formerly of Curtis, Neb., passed away at Great Plains Health in North Platte on Sunday, November 26, 2023. 

She was born in Holdrege, Neb., on April 20, 1934, to Earl and Tillie (Nelson) Hanson. She grew up on a farm by Loomis, Neb., where she attended a country grade school. In 1951, she graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture high school in Curtis. Following high school, she taught in country grade schools for two years. On September 6, 1953, she married Gerald Cole of Curtis, who she met while in high school. To this union, three children were born. After their children were raised, she was a secretary at Medicine Valley High School. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Curtis, where she taught Sunday School and Bible School for several years. She was also a member of the Triple L Extension Club and a 4-H leader for several years. Gerald and Gladys made their home south of Curtis where they farmed and ranched until their move to Curtis in 1990 and later to North Platte in 2017. Gladys loved her family dearly and faithfully followed the activities of her children and grandchildren.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gerald; grandson, Creighton Perkins: sisters: Doris Hollinger, Evelyn Almquist, Dorothy Novak, infant sister, Helen; brothers: Lawrence, Wilmer, Roger, and Earl (Junior) Hanson; sisters-in-law: Alva, Ruth, Isla, Mary and Doris Hanson, Devona Roudebush and Claudia Cole; brothers-in-law: Dean Almquist, Harry Hollinger, Bob Novak, Don Cole, William Kleinow and Rod Roudebush.

Survivors include son, Jim (Sandi) Cole of Hayes Center; daughters, Jean (Ron) Perkins of McCook and Judy (Terry) Elson of North Platte; brother Sherrod Hanson of Loomis; sisters-in law Marjorie Cole of Atwater, Calif., and Connie (Lannie) Bellamy of Lincoln; brother-in-law Wayne Cole of Lake Forest, Calif.; grandchildren; Samantha Garrison, Vanessa (Jake) Wamsley Layne (Betsy) Perkins, Jarod (Autumn) Cole, Joel Elson, Jace (Chelsea) Elson; 18 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to the family for later designation. 

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Methodist Church in Curtis.