Jeannette A. Cole
Jeannette (Jan) A. Cole, age 85, of Friendship, Wisconsin passed away Monday, July 10, 2023, at her home.
Memorial services will be 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, Wisconsin. Visitation will be at Roseberry’s Funeral Home on Saturday, July 29, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.
Jeannette was born November 20, 1937, in Rome, Wisconsin to the late Joseph & Emma (Nobles) Petruska Sr. Jan was a happy and adventurous girl and loved the simple things in life. She loved helping her Daddy on their dairy farm. She loved horseback riding and helping her momma with her horses. The Sunday family drives, fishing and collecting the many wild critters she called pets. She graduated from Adams-Friendship High School in 1955 as Class Salutatorian. She continued on to St Joseph’s School of Nursing, Marshfield, WI On 8/26/1959 and passed her Wisconsin State Board in Nursing as a Registered Nurse on 11/16/1959. She moved to Milwaukee, Wi to work with her sister Joycee at Wood Hospital in Milwaukee .
She married her 1st husband in 1961 and resided in Milwaukee and they were blessed with 3 beautiful children. A daughter, Denise Marie and sons Michael Lon and Timothy Allen. They moved to Phoenix AZ in 1969 unfortunately the marriage ended in divorce. Jan was granted full custody of the children as a single mother on her own. Jan was working at the VA Hospital in Phoenix AZ (1969-1975) where she met and fell in love with her soul mate.
She married Robert O. Cole Sr. on January 7, 1973 in Maricopa County, Phoenix Az. Jan gained a step son Bobby Jr at time of marriage. They hoped to add to the family a total of 6 children but the family was blessed with 1 bouncing baby boy Patrick Joseph later in life who was the light of this family’s life. Life in Arizona was good, they enjoyed loading up the Chevy fishing gear and provisions for the weekend and head to Lake Alamo to sleep under the stars, fish and explore the desert. When not fishing, she was a Super fan of her 3 sons who played in Little League Baseball and you could always see her in the stands cheering them on Yelling “Woohoo thata way! OR RUN!RUN!RUN! In early 1975 due to health issues, it was best to move to less dry climate so family moved to Friendship, Wi and built a home and life on her parent’s family Homestead in Cottonville.
Jan worked at Riverview Hospital Wi Rapids, Adams Memorial Hospital, Friendship Wi, Tomah VA Memorial Hospital, Tomah Wi. Jan was a RN doing community work with the Health & Human Services of Adams County 10+ yrs. for the low-income citizens.
Jan was recommended for a position by a fellow associate and dear friend Dr. Reed about a position at FCI OXFORD Prison where she work 15yr before retiring 1/3/2018 at the age of 80 yrs young. Her fondest memories of work at OFCI were the many employees and staff she called friend, the prisoner/puppy program and her many patients she served who respected her kindness and called her granny or grandma. She was asked once what was the one thing she would change working at the prison. She said educating nurses and doctors that help is greatly needed at these facilities and there is nothing more to fear behind bars as there is outside the bars. Patients are Patients and still need care this is why we took our oath.
Jan loved being a nurse. It was her calling in life. She was dedicated, compassionate and always professional to her patients and co-workers but was always straightforward with them when needed which earned her respect.
Jan’s favorite things she enjoyed in life was her caring & giving heart for her family, Veterans, Animals, Children with medical needs. Jan was an avid supporter of the kids and grandchildren education and sports for the communities that they resided. She enjoyed collecting aluminum cans to support an event for the AF Swim Team back in the day to helping with books for college she was there. She enjoyed donating to her local Adams Humane Society for her 2 rescues she adopted Jake (formerly Baby) & Molly. Jan enjoyed gardening, taking long walks in the woods with her furbabies and family, enjoyed bird watching and feeding Andre the Pileated Woodpecker and his off spring, turkeys, deer, eagles and the many other species of birds and wildlife who visited daily. She called her home The Sanctuary where all were welcome, safe, fed, and cared for.
Jan was also a dreamer she occasionally would play the lottery or drop a few shackles at Nekoosa Rainbow Casino hoping to hit a big one so she could help pay off all her family’s debt, pay for all her grandkids’ future educations, and give to all her favorite charities. She believed in paying it forward.
Jeannette was a member of AARP, DAV, VFW, WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT, ASPACA, ST JUDES, ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION, and NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION.
Jeannette was preceded in death by her parents: Joseph & Emma (Nobles) Petruska Sr.; sisters: Betty Petruska, Bonnie Petruska, and Joyce Travis; brothers: David Petruska, Joseph (Joe Jr.) Petruska, and Thomas (Tom) Petruska; great-grandson, Camdyn Gabriel Slayton; Beloved Husband, Robert O. Cole Sr & stepson, Bobbie Jr.; and her many furbabies: Kenai, Chaz, Molly’s, Max’s and many-many more.
Survivors include her daughter, Denise M (Gollubske) & (Albert, AL) Slayton of Milw, WI; sons: Michael Lon & (Lisa) Cole of Farmington, MN; Timothy Allen & (Sherrie Jo) Cole of Milw, WI; and Patrick Joseph & (Christy) Cole Friendship, WI; Grandma & Nana to: Brandy Nicole & (Mark) Bauer of Whitewater, WI; Bryan Robert & (Callie) Slayton of Mt. Pleasant, WI; Joseph Sr. & (Phoebe) Gunderson of Milw, WI; Brandon Michael & (Sydney) Cole of Siginaw, TX; Krista Ann & (Connor) Smith of Mound, MN; Allicyn Joyce Cole of Tampa, FL; Madelyn Jeannette Cole of Milw, WI; Ian Patrick, Elias Mitchell & Adalee Raelynn Cole of Friendship, WI; Hailey Mae & Tyler Allan Siegel of Thousand Oaks, CA; Great-grandma & GG to: Damien Xavior & Ethan Albert Bauer of Whitewater, WI; Laila Tomika & Joseph Jr Gunderson of Milw, WI; Lainey Jordan & Raylan Jax Slayton of Mt Pleasant, WI. Further Survived by beloved brother-in-law, Howard W. Travis; sister-in-law, Judy (Youngmark-Petruska) Linzmeier; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further information.
I was so blessed to have known the beautiful,strong,and fun loving Jan. I was her hair stylist for many years. I always looked forward to seeing her. Oh,such a amazing lady and all she’s done. I looked so forward to seeing her at her hair appointments. She was such a positive inspiration to everyone around. Oh the stories we shared. My beautiful lady and friend you will be so missed. ❤️❤️
Pat and Christy –
We are so sorry for your loss. I had the joy of working with Jan at ACHHSD for many years. One could hear her laugh down the hallway. It always made my day brighter! She was an unbelievable nurse. I also had the joy of talking to her at Ian’s games, where she would be the life of the cheering section. She will be greatly missed.
I am greatly honored to have known Jan. It was my pleasure to work with her at ACMH and Adams County Health and Human Services. She taught me many things, we laughed about many things. Jan will be greatly missed. My condolences to the family at this time. May God Bless all.
Denise and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I know our moms grew up together and always enjoyed talking about when they were kids. Sending prayers to all of the family
Nurse Cole was dedicated to getting her inmate patients good care. She never let them get away with anything and they respected he consistent following of the rules. I had the greatest respect for Nurse Cole because she was the ultimate profeesional.
So sorry for your loss. You all have my family’s deepest sympathy. Fred, Debbie, Hunter, and Ryan Renner
I can still hear Nurse Cole’s “Nurse Cole, to the activities Lt, can I release them for chow!” (with her Nurse Cole voice). She was such a awesome person to be around and work with. She was always happy when she needed to be and she could scold a person in the same conversation which was fun to see her do. We are praying for your family during this time. Nurse Cole will be missed by many…
God is our refuge and strength an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall to the bottom of the sea. Psalm 46:1-2
May our dear Lord comfort you the family in this difficult time. I had much respect for Nurse Cole! Very positive, make a difference person! Inmates and Staff respected her for her genuine caring attitude, consistently! Blessed richly by our dear Lord to have her around.
Respectfully,
Mark Emond Sr
Cook Supervisor (Retired)
I worked with Jan and Adams County Memorial. She was always so much fun, and always laughing and happy. My sympathies for your loss.
It was a sad day for us when our beloved Nurse Cole retired from the prison. Many staff here who knew her had a fun story about her and how she could outrun most of us to an emergency call.
I met Jan during my years of being an adult family home. She was an awesome lady. RIP Jan
Our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the Cole family. We both had the honor of working with Jan at FCI Oxford, and she was such a class act. Her work ethic, dedication to her position, no-nonsense attitude, and her wonderful sense of humor. She was truly a joy to work with.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends. I was fortunate to have worked with her at Oxford. She had a wonderful smile and I loved her bedside manner. She was very compassionate but no-nonsense and straightforward with her patients and they respected her for it.
R.I.P.
Sorry to hear of Jan’s passing. She always had a smile and a kind word.
Nurse Cole had a beautiful smile and a great laugh! Over the years we worked together, she would ask me to speak to one of the “patients” who was very ill who was in need of pastoral care. What a wonderful lady she is and was! See you soon my dear!
A full and beautiful life lived by a caring and beautiful person. “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring praise at the city gate”. Proverbs 31:31
May the Lord welcome you into his Kingdom.
🙏
My sincerest condolences to the family, Jan, known to many of us as Nurse Cole, was a treasured coworker and friend. What I loved most about her was her compassion for others, sense of humor, and her endless supply of beautiful smiles. May she rest in peace.
When I started at the FCI in June 2013 it was apparent that Nurse Cole was one of the most respected individuals at the facility by both staff and inmates alike. She also had a sense of humor that would leave anyone she crossed paths with smiling or laughing in her wake. My condolences to the family. Rest easy Nurse Cole!
I am so sorry for your loss Denise and family. I did not know Jan was your Mother! She was a wonderful person. Sending love and light.
Sorry for your loss. Jan was a loving and beautiful person
I did recruit Jan to come to work at FCI OXF. I knew her personality and skills she would be an excellent team member of the medical department.
I thoroughly enjoyed working with Jan over the years. She was also held in high esteem by the inmates. RIP my friend! Dr. James Reed
Thoughts and Sympathy to Jan’s family. I had the pleasure working with Jan, she was a treasure and always cared for her patients and co-workers. Prayers for all of you.
Jan was a special lady, i enjoyed working with her always in my mind and heart
I remember being a new nurse and Jan taught me so much. I respected and loved working with her so much! She was like a mother to all of the nurses working with her. She would praise when it was appropriate and be straight up honest with constructive criticism when needed. The nursing profession is better because you were part of it❤️RIP
Prayers for peace and comfort for the family. I had the wonderful opportunity to work side by side with Jan at ACMH. She was such a caring, loving lady. We truly lost an angel. RIP my friend.
I had the good fortune of having Jan care for me during one of my surgeries. I didn’t know her at all other than that but she was great. My sympathy to you all.
So sorry to the family of Jeannette Cole. I worked with her on night shift at Adams county memorial hospital. She was a wonderful person to work with.
So sorry for Jeannette’s family on the loss of her. Enjoy working with her at Adams County Memorial Hospital.
I worked quite a few shifts with Nurse Cole at the FCI and was amazed at how the inmates respected her presence. I loved knowing she was there taking care of business and having our backs. Rest easy Nurse Cole you definitely deserve it. RiP.
I worked quite a few shifts with Nurse Cole at the FCI and was amazed at how the inmates respected her presence. I loved knowing she was there taking care of business and having our backs. Rest easy Nurse Cole you defined deserve it. RiP.
R.I.P. Jan. You were a great person and nurse. You will be missed.
So sorry on Your loss. I enjoyed working with her at Moundview
My deepest thoughts and sympathy to the family. One of the nicest lady I gotten to know, when working at the 76 gas station at 13&21, years ago. She never forgot you once she met you. Always a smile on her face. She will be missed. RIP Jan Prayers being sent for all.