Robert J. Cole

Robert J Cole

Robert “Bob” John Cole, age 96, of Bangor went to be with the Lord Monday, January 29, 2018

at Eagle Crest South with his daughter, Candace, at his side.  He was born December 2, 1921 to John and Tillie (Olsen) Cole.  He was baptized in La Crosse and confirmed October 19, 1947 by Pastor Arden Stuebs at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bangor.  His memory passage was Revelation 2:10. He was united in marriage to Arlene Schlaeger in 1946. They were blessed with two children, Danny and Candace, and also had the privilege of raising one of their granddaughters, Tammy.

Bob enlisted in the Army in June of 1940.  He served his country proudly as a WWII veteran.  He was in the Third Infantry Division.  He went into combat in the invasion of North Africa, the invasion of Sicily, Italy, Alsace Lorraine, France and landed behind enemy lines on the Anzio Beachhead, and then moved on to Germany and then to Austria when the war ended May 8, 1945.  He was awarded the Bronze Star, 10 Battle Stars, 4 Bronze Arrowheads, and Croix de Guerre with Palm.  He was honorably discharged in June 1945.

Bob worked at the La Crosse Rubber Mills 35 years, retiring in 1982.  He is a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bangor.  He will be greatly missed by his family, his beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  He is survived by his children, Danny (Marlene) Cole of Bangor and his beloved daughter, Candace (Bruce) Warhanik of Onalaska, his granddaughters, Tammy (Todd) Larson of Sparta and Jessica Kohls of Bangor; his great-granddaughters, Emma (Michael) Brophy of Onalaska and Abby Kohls of Bangor; his great-great grandchildren, Anastasia and Ezra Brophy.  He was preceded in death by his parents, 7 brothers, 1 sister, his beloved wife, Arlene, infant great-granddaughter, Lily Rose; and a special niece, Sharon Anderson.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 401 16^th Ave North, Bangor.  Visitation will be on Saturday from 9 a.m. until time of service. Pastor Roy W. Hefti will officiate. Burial with Military Honors by the Bangor American Legion Post 40 will follow at the Burns Cemetery.

A special thanks to the caring staff of Eagle Crest South, Pastor Roy and Alice Hefti for the prayers, many visits, and for helping out whenever we needed them.

The family is being assisted by the Blaschke-Schneider Funeral Home of LaCrosse.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Luther High, Onalaska or St. Paul’s, Bangor, Parsonage Fund