Carol Jean Cole

Carol was born on December 11, 1928 to Raymond and Verna Handgartner Janssen in Emmet County, IA. She attended Ceylon High School and graduated from Mankato State College with 2 masters degrees. Carol was united in marriage to Verl Cole on September 18, 1949 in Fairmont, MN. She taught in Minnesota schools with a specialty in special learning needs. Carol was the Director of Special Education for the Blue Earth Schools from 1973-1982. She served as the Superintendent for Glenville in the late 1980’s, and then went to Crookston/Willow River district as principal. Carol also worked in the Lyle, Olivia and Sherburn districts. In her retirement she continued to substitute teach. Carol was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hollandale, the AAUW, one of the first women Elks Club members in Albert Lea, the Eagles and American Legion auxiliaries. She enjoyed dancing, genealogy, investment club and computers. Survivors include her life partner, Dick Delgado; daughter, Trudy Brian Haugen of Owatonna; sons, Todd Cole Kristy Searcy of Tempe AZ, Thomas Carrie Cole of Chanhassen, MN, 10 grandchildren, 1 great-granddaughter; sister, Lenna Bruce Hanson of Sparta, WI; brother, Raymond A. Vallus Janssen of Portsmouth, RI; Rich LaDonna Delgado of Slidell, LA, Lisa Mike Weeden of Millbury, MA; and many nieces and nephews. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Verl; and her sister, Bonnie Wesolek. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.