James Cole, 72, Little Falls

February 1, 1952 - June 12, 2024

James “Jim” Cole, 72 year old resident of Little Falls passed away Wednesday, June 12 in Anchorage, AK, while vacationing with family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 20 at 2:00 P.M. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Belle Prairie with Father Patrick Hoeft officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 19 and from 1:00 P.M. until the hour of the service on Thursday. All visitation times will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Belle Prairie. The burial will be held in the parish cemetery.

James "Jim” Cole was born on February 1, 1952 in Minot, North Dakota to the late James Everett and Lila Marie (Richmond) Cole. As a young boy the family moved to Pillager, MN, where James grew up and attended school. James graduated with the class of 1970. He attended Alexandria Vocational for one year in the Law Enforcement program. He moved to Fort Ripley where he lived with his cousin, Vivian. Jim worked for Antique Classic Chassis where, he learned the art of auto body. He opened his own shop B and J Auto Body in 1981. He never retired keeping himself busy doing work for family and friends. He was united in marriage to Barbara Rakow on September 14, 1974 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Belle Prairie. The family made their home in Ripley Township for over 49 years. He served on the Ripley Township Board for over 35 years. Jim will be remembered as kind hearted man and also a generous man. He liked to have a good time and was also known as jokester. He could make a friend everywhere he went; he treasured his time spent with family and friends. Jim loved his fishing trips to Canada, playing cards and deer hunting with family, harvesting 194 legal kills throughout his life. He was a faithful member of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 49 year, Barbara Cole of Little Falls; children, Melynda (Donald) Cluka of Staples, Jamie Cole of Baxter and Benjamin (Kristen) Cole of Fort Ripley; three granddaughters, Emily Cole, Jessica Cole and Desiree Cole; siblings, Jack (Cora) Cole of Fallon, NV, Marlene Kort of Pillager, Loretta Hendrickson of Wahpeton, ND, Janette Lerfald of Kenyon, MN and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his best friend, Gustov his mini schnauzer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lila Cole; brother and sister-in-law, Arnold (Connie) Cole.