Ruth E Cole was born August 5, 1930 in Washington, PA and died December 8, 2011 in Story City, IA. Ruth married her childhood sweetheart, Paul Cole, while he was serving in the U.S. Navy on the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Rochester during the Korean Conflict. Their wedding took place while he was on furlough on Guam. Ruth worked as a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell and AT&T for 40 years.

She and Paul raised two children, Pam (Glenn) Songer and Paul (Melodie) Cole, Jr. They had five grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She was a faithful, lifelong member of the Church of the Nazarene, serving at various times as a church pianist and as a Sunday school teacher.

Ruth loved with an open heart even in the last three weeks of her life at Bethany Manor in Story City, IA. She will be buried next to her husband, Paul A. Cole. Sr., who preceded her in death by 10 years. Visitation 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2011 and funeral service 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 21, 2011 both at

Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel.