Stanley Mason Cole

He was preceded in death by his first love Joan after 53 years of marriage. Stan is survived by his son Timothy Cole and his wife Barbara, his daughter Debbie Reider and her husband Randy, 4 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.

Stan is also survived by Bettelou Cole, his loving companion and wife whom he found in his golden years. Through this marriage, Stan enlarged his family to include Bettelou's children, Lynda Wyer, Milan and Lori Thompson, Mary and David Mumme, Janeene and David Salmon, plus 10 more grandchildren, and 12 more great grandchildren.

Stan was born on January 3, 1934, in Weeping Water, Nebraska, to parents Roy Clarence Cole and Iva Fern Lloyd Cole. He graduated from Dana University in Nebraska with a Doctorate Degree in Finance and Law.

Stan was a great family man and a loving father and grandfather. He was always a faithful Nebraska fan. He spent 30 years as a professor at Colorado State University before retiring. He was also a dedicated Elks member, was an active blessing to his church and pastor.

A viewing will be from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM on Thursday, April 6th at the Allnutt Drake Chapel, Fort Collins, followed by a funeral service at 1:30 p.m. Pastor Timothy Demoret will officiate. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Stan's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to North Park Baptist Church, PO Box 661, Walden, CO 80480.

“You can always tell a cowboy by his hat.” – Stan Cole

After a life well-lived, Stanley Mason Cole died March 24, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Stan was born on January 3, 1934 in Weeping Water, Nebraska to Roy Clarence and Iva Fern Cole. He married his high school sweetheart, Joan Lewis in 1953. They were married for 58 years before Joan's passing in 2011. Stan attended Dana College in Blair, Nebraska and received his PhD in Education from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He is a Professor Emeritus from the Education Department at Colorado State University where he was employed until his retirement. He specialized in public school law and finance. Stan was a long time member of Elks Lodge #804, serving as Exalted Ruler and being awarded Elk of the Year. He worked as Secretary of the Lodge, making an impact on his community and making life-long friends. Stan loved his cabin in Gould, Colorado and was a life-long Husker football fan.

He loved his family immensely. He is survived by his daughter Debbie Reider and her husband Randy, his grandsons Bryan (Heather and great-grandchildren Easton and Carlee Jo) and Brad (Diane), his son Tim and wife Barbara, his grandson Avery and granddaughter Hannah. He is also survived by his wife and companion Bettelou and her extended family. The last of his generation, he will be missed by many nieces and nephews, sister-in-law Carole Gannon, and brother-in-law Mike Lewis. Funeral service will be held Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 1:30 at the Allnutt Drake Chapel, Fort Collins, with interment at Roselawn Cemetery.