Gladys Amanda (Rydberg) Cole was born at Barronett, WI on June 2, 1919 to Oscar E. and Matilda Rydberg. She was two years old when her father died from a farming accident leaving her mother to raise eight children ages 0-14. Four of the girls graduated from high school but Gladys was the only one to pursue more education. After graduating from Cumberland High School she graduated from Barron County Normal in Rice Lake, WI (class of 1937) and taught in a one-room school at Granite Lake near Cumberland, WI for three years. During World War II she joined the US Navy as a WAVE, pharmacist's mate 1st Class, stationed at San Diego, CA. Later she transferred to Great Lakes Naval Base, Waukegan, IL.

On July 13, 1946 she married Wayne J. Cole. They lived in New Richmond, WI and raised their family, Nancy and Jeff. Gladys worked in a doctor's office for 15 years, and then for the City of New Richmond for 5 years in charge of accounts receivable, a job she dearly loved. Upon retirement Wayne and Gladys moved to a cottage on Granite Lake which they remodeled into a nice home. From there they moved to Amery, WI. Wayne passed away on Jan. 16, 2007 and Gladys spent her final years at Golden Age Manor where she made many friends, joined in the activities and read many books. Gladys passed away at Golden Age Manor on Monday January 26, 2015 at the age of 95.

She is preceded in death by her parents, seven siblings, husband Wayne, and daughter Nancy (Butch) Parnell. She leaves behind her son Jeffrey Cole of Star Prairie, WI; grandson Sean (Pollee) Parnell and great granddaughters, Alexandra & Isabelle of Mendota Heights, MN, and many nieces and nephews.


Funeral services will be held on Monday February 2, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Amery with a visitation for the hour prior to the service. There will be a private family interment at Lakeside Cemetery in Barronett, Wisconsin at a later date.