Jackie Lee Cole

Jackie Lee Cole, age 71 of Charles City, IA died Wednesday at his home.

Jack was born May 11, 1952 to Marvin and Vera (Klein) Cole in Manchester, Iowa. He graduated from Maquoketa Valley High School in 1970 with the support of the cheerleaders who did his homework (or at least that is the story he told his children). On Sept. 23, 1972, Jack married Clara Mae Geers at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville, Iowa. He died peacefully in his home on Nov. 1, 2023 at the age of 71 surrounded by family after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Jack was a hard worker committed to giving a good life to his family. He logged over four million miles in his lifetime while appreciating the view from Balltown in his milk truck, taking in the majestic Gateway Arch from an 18-wheeler, and counting cows and singing along to Lollipop in the family car. Jack loved joking, fishing, playing cards, small dogs, and his family.

In recent years, Jack’s favorite past-times were enjoying Clara’s companionship and cooking, sharing in the adventures of his children and grandchildren, spoiling his dogs, talking with family and friends, playing Clash of Clans and Angry Birds, sharing funny animal videos, cheering on the Cubs and the Packers, and watching WWE and his guilty pleasure, the Bachelorette. Jack was always a phone call away and his laughter and love will be deeply missed by many.

Jack is survived by his wife of 51 years, Clara; his five well-behaved kids, Lisa (Buck) Manternach of Cascade, Brad (Heidi) Cole of Charles City, Paula Cole of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Matt (Jessica) Cole of West Des Moines, Tammy (Adam) Winn of Des Moines, Iowa; siblings, Shirley (Gene) Bears of Mesa, Arizona, sister-in-law Carol Cole of Ryan, Patricia Stuckenschneider of Cedar Rapids, Jerry (Barb) Cole of Manchester, Joseph (Shirley) Cole of Manchester; in-laws Rosemary Klein of Manchester, Edwin Geers of Manchester, Frances (Mary) Geers of Cedar Rapids, Bill (Ginny) Geers of Cedar Rapids, Gertude (Ralph) Hunt of Cascade, Steve (Lila) Geers of Manchester, Charles (Vicky) Geers of Dyersville; six grandchildren, Hailey (Riley), Kate, and Addy Manternach, Taylor (Samantha) and McKayla (Dave) Cole, Caden Cole, two great-grandchildren, EzMae and Liam Cole and his current faithful dog companions, Kassi and Missy.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Vera Cole of Manchester; his brother Jim Cole, an infant sister Donna Cole; brothers-in-law Rudy, Joe, Bud, Al, Gerry, Jim, and John Geers; an unborn great-grandchild Augy, and beloved family pets Candi, Sylvester, Roadrunner, Lexi, Jojo, Coco, Molly, Buddy and Foxi and a 1963 Chevy Impala car.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at St. Croix Hospice as well as his medical team in Iowa City and Floyd County for their kindness and care. They would also like to thank Holly and Mack for their exceptional care provided in his home.

A private service for the family will be held at a future time in Charles City. The family requests that remembrances be made in the form of contributions in Jack’s honor to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (lls.org) or your local animal shelter.

Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home and Crematory in New Hampton has been entrusted with Jackie’s arrangements.