Information from Findagrave. 1
Anna Cole, 90, of South Dakota, formerly of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away Monday, November 4, 2013, at Winner Long Term Care in Winner, South Dakota. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2013, at St. Columba Church with Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery. Anna was the first born child of George T. and Marian J. (Carroll) Fancher of Ottawa, Illinois. She came into this world fighting for her life on September 10, 1923, as she was born very premature. They placed her in a shoe box, set her on the open oven door, and fed her with an eye dropper. As God looked down on Anna she grew stronger and thrived with the loving care of her family. She attended catholic schools in Ottawa, graduating from St. Francis Xavier Academy in 1942. She then attended the College of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1946. Upon graduation she sat for her Teachers Certificate, she then taught High School in Marseilles, Illinois. On June 12, 1948, at seven o’clock in the morning, with her family and friends looking on, George T. walked Ann down the aisle and she was united in marriage to Kenneth W. Cole at St. Columba Church in Ottawa, Illinois. They made their first home in Ottawa where Jannette Lee was born in 1951 and Gregory Allen born in 1956. In 1958, they moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where in 1960 Cheryl Ann was born. In 1963, the family moved to Mason City, Iowa, where Ann stayed at home to care for her family while they settled into a new town. She went to work for the Mason City Public School system in 1965 as a substitute teacher; later taking a job as a paraprofessional in the Media Center of Roosevelt Middle School where she worked until her retirement. Ann has been a member of several Catholic Churches, including St. Columba parish in Ottawa, Ill, Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Madison, WI, and Holy Family parish in Mason City, IA. She enjoyed being involved with the circles in all her parishes. Ann loved to travel; she enjoyed taking the family on their yearly “vacation” where she always had some kind of “History” lesson for them. Ann also loved to sew; over the years she has made many beautiful items including her own wedding gown and Cheryl’s wedding gown. One of Ann’s great passions was her painting, in her younger years she did many lovely oil paintings. Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth W. Cole; her parents, George T. and Marian J. Fancher; her siblings, Carol Mahon, Robert Fancher, and Joan Briel; brother–in-law, William Mahon; and nephew Michael Mahon. People that have been blessed to share in Ann’s life are her children, Jan (Don) Evans from Mason City, IA, Greg (Cuba) Cole from Stroud, OK, Cheryl (Al) Schmitt from Gregory, SD; Ann’s Granddaughter, Lexi (Mike) Shyne from Rapid City, SD; and Great Grandchildren, Cecilia Ann and Patrick John Shyne. Ann has been blessed with many extended family members; some wonderful friends in her life. She will be missed by all. Memorials may be directed to the family.