Robert "Bob" Cole

Mass of Christian Burial for Robert “Bob” Cole, 80, of Marshall, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.  A livestream and recording of the service will be available at www.holy-redeemer.com. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a time for sharing of memories at 6:30 p.m. at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Marshall. Visitation will continue on Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the Remembrance Center. Interment will take place at the Marshall Cemetery.

Robert Allen Cole was born on March 17, 1945, in Blue Earth, MN, to Merril and La Vena (Hefner) Cole. He grew up on Wesner Grove Farm near Easton, MN, attended parochial school at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Easton and graduated from Delavan High School in 1963. During high school Bob was a state FFA (Future Farmers of America) officer. Bob obtained his Bachelor of Education from Mankato State University and then taught in Mapleton, MN, from 1967–1970. On June 29, 1968, he was united in marriage to Patricia “Patty” Barr in Alexandria. The pride of Bob and Patty’s life were their four children: Brian, Carmen, Allen and Kristi. The couple moved to Marshall in 1970 and Bob taught at Marshall High School from 1970–2000. While at MHS, Mr. Cole taught accounting, business and consumer math, driver’s training and adult education. He was also fondly remembered as the longtime MHS Prom Advisor. After his retirement, he was actively involved with NAEP: National Assessment of Education Progress, often called “The Nation’s Report Card.” In 2013, Bob was awarded the Minnesota Driver’s Educator of the Year award. Bob’s passion was flying Radio Controlled Airplanes. He was an active member of the Marshall R/C Club and was proud to have flown airplanes every month for more than 20 years.

But more than anything, Bob enjoyed spending time with his family. His quick wit, servant heart and unwavering kindness to all he met were the trademarks of his long life. As a dad he serenaded his children with his above-average harmonic playing, provided memorable camping experiences in their pop-up camper, cooked his famous Italian spiced goulash for countless family meals and offered helpful, life-long (even last week) driving tips to his entire family. Some of the family’s favorite memories include helping with harvest at the family farm over MEA, watching VCR movies on Friday night in the MHS learning center, and in these last few years hearing our dad jokingly remind his former students that they still needed to turn in those decade-late assignments. Bob loved his grandchildren: whether it was attending their races, recitals, concerts, games, or performances. Grandpa Bob was famous for pulling out a pen and asking for his grandkid’s signature on the program or bulletin so that he could have it for when ‘you get famous!’.

Bob died peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, September 27, 2025, under hospice care at his residence in Marshall. The family is forever thankful to Scott Lawrence for his gracious Hospice care.

Bob is survived by his wife, Patty, of Marshall, son Brian (Deb) Cole of Moorhead, MN, daughter Carmen (Jay) Meier of Woodbury, MN, son Allen Cole of Waconia, MN, and daughter Kristi Cole of Tracy, MN; grandchildren Luke Cole, Greta Cole, Ella Cole, Lleyton Meier, Madeline Cole, Eloise Cole and Conrad Cole, brother Tom (Colleen) Cole; sisters-in-law Claudette Cole, Joan Cole and Wendy Cole; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and 4 brothers: Jack, Fred and Denny, and Charles in infancy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Avera @ Home Hospice, Pride in the Tiger Foundation or Our Lady of Mount Carmel Preservation Fund, Easton, MN.