Shirley J. Cole

Shirley J. Cole, age 86 of Westby, died Wednesday, March 23, 2016. Shirley J. Cole, age 86 of Westby, died Wednesday, March 23, 2016. Mom lost her battle to kidney cancer on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, under the loving compassionate care of the staff at Bland Bekkedal Hospice Center in Viroqua. She grew up in Viroqua in the loving care of her mother, Loretta Susan Meissner-Hay and stepfather Eddie Best. She had two sisters, Carol Chadwick-Pfennig (deceased) and Bev Calhoun-Tegler who now lives in Bellview, IA. She has two stepbrothers, Bob Best and Gerald Best and was preceded in death by stepsister, Myra. She married Myron Cole on New Years Eve 1946. They met at a dance and enjoyed many dance dates over the years. They raised two daughters, Linda (Mervin) Haakenson--West Salem, Betty (Ned) Barstad--Westby, and one son, Roger(Krista) of Waunakee. To those unions she was blessed with 7 grandchildren, Scott, Sue, Seth, Jesse, Abby, Alex and Jared, and a bonus of 10 great grandchildren. As a young farm bride she worked hard beside Dad. She enjoyed gardening and preserving the bounty. They also served auction lunches from a blue school bus for several years with Mom making many batches of donuts and barbecue. In 1965 they moved to Westby and bought the Norseland Motel, which she ran for 20 years--oh so many loads of laundry. At family celebrations Mom was the 'noodle maker'. Her recipe: 4 eggs, a sprinkle of salt, a quarter egg shell of water, and enough flour to roll. We smile at the specifics. As per her wishes, there will be visitation at the Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby on Saturday, April 2, 2016 from 2 - 4 with coffee and donuts. A private family burial will be at a later date. Online condolences may be offered at www.VossFH.com The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.