Verna "Vickie" L. Cole

Verna “Vickie” Lucille Cole, 82, of Blue Grass, passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2026; surrounded by her family in Blue Grass. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 17, from 4 to 7 pm at The Runge Mortuary. Cremation rites will be pe provided after. Memorials may be made to Brave Like Brooks Foundation.

Vickie was born on June 25, 1943, in Bethalto, IL to Vernis and Vivian (Bledsoe) Sauls. After graduating from Alton, IL High School, she went to cosmetology school and became a licensed hairdresser. She owned and operated Vickie’s Country Road Family Salon for numerous years along with selling Scentsy products after retiring.

She was first united in marriage to William Earl Downing who preceded her in death. She later married Gary Cole on May 23, 1975, in Davenport and they celebrated 51 years of marriage in May. In her free time, Vickie loved creating balloon bouquets, especially for weddings. She crocheted many afghans and was Blue Grass Homecoming Parade Champion several years for the floats she created. In earlier times, she loved playing bingo, listening to Elvis Presley, playing cards and going to casinos.

Known for her great sense of humor, Vickie loved and enjoyed her family, especially spending time with her grandchildren.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Gary, children: Rick Downing, Spring Hill, FL; Mike (Laura) Downing, Davenport; Tracy (Mark) Chalupa, Pleasant Prairie, IA; Rick Cole, East Des Moines; Bob Downing, Blue Grass, Mike (Yohanna) Cole, Norwalk, IL; Dave (Beth) Downing, Blue Grass and Vickie Proctor, Wilton IA ; 54 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; sister, Penny Alpen, Davenport; nieces and nephew, Kimberly (Dave) Brown, Granite City, IL, Shane (Missy) Conner, Grand Mound, IA, and Amanda Baker (Dave Ratliff), Buffalo, IA and special friends Nancy Ripperger and Donna Hicks, both of Blue Grass.

In addition to her parents and first husband, Vickie was preceded in death by her son-in-law Les Proctor, Jr.; grandsons, Brooks Downing and Matthew Proctor; sister, Linda Potter; brother, Charles Sauls and Mother and Father-in-law, George and Eleanor Cole.

A special "Thank you" to Sue Lobdell. "Thank you for being there for our family and taking care of our parents".