Mary K. Cole

mary k. cole

March 30, 1965 ~ April 19, 2008

Mary K. Cole, 43, of Gettysburg, passed away, Saturday, April 19, 2008 at the Rochester Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN from complications from a bone marrow transplant needed as treatment for Burkitt's Lymphoma.

Funeral services were held at 2:00p.m., Friday, April 25 at the Gettysburg High School Gymnasium with Pastor Suzie O’Connell officiating. Burial was in the Eden Cemetery at Hudson, SD. Visitation was held  from 2:00 – 5:00p.m., Thursday at Luce Funeral Home in Gettysburg with a 7:00p.m., prayer service at the United Methodist Church in Gettysburg.

Mary Kathryn Tabbert was born March 30, 1965 at DeWitt, Arkansas to Elmer and Mary (Iversen) Tabbert. Mary K. graduated from Highmore High School in 1983 and from the University of South Dakota in 1987 with a degree in Elementary Education. She received her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Montana State University in 2006. Mary K. taught at the Harrold School, Lower Brule School and Pierre Indian Learning Center. She was a substitute teacher for the Gettysburg School for several years before becoming the elementary Special Education Teacher in 2006. She coached basketball and volleyball at the junior high and high school level for seven years.

On December 28, 1985 Mary K. was united in marriage to Bradley Cole. To this union, three girls were born, Amanda, Jordan and Taylor. Her family was everything to her and she supported them in all of their activities. Mary K. loved the outdoors whether she was riding horse, tending her gardens, boating at the river, snow skiing, or dancing. She had a contagious laugh and loved to have fun. She had a passion for coaching which led to her hours spent at summer and team camps. Mary K. lived life to the fullest everyday and was an inspiration and friend to many people. She loved the challenge of figuring out how to make a child learn and had a strong desire for everyone to excel.

Grateful to have shared in her life is her husband, Brad of Gettysburg; daughters: Amanda of Monticello, MN, Jordan and Taylor of Gettysburg; parents, Elmer and Mary Tabbert of Holabird; siblings: Mike (Lynn Lutter) Tabbert of Tremonton, Utah, Brian (Penny Malcom) Tabbert of Hudson, SD, Bruce (Wendy Ellis) Tabbert of LeMars, IA, and Kristin Tabbert of Pierre; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her nephew, Michael Tabbert; maternal grandparents, Soren Christian and Ruth (Samuel) Iversen; paternal grandparents, Ludwig and Lydia (Geist) Tabbert and one aunt, three uncles, and two cousins.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with her arrangements.

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  1. Brad and girls we are so sorry to hear about Mary K.,our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Mary K was a fighter and fought until the end she was a strong lady. God Bless you

  2. Dear Brad & Girls
    I just want to let you know that you and your family are in my prayers. Mary Kay was such an amazing woman. She was a true inspiration to all during her battle with cancer.
    She helped me so much as a teacher at PILC. We were in the Montana State program together. Mary Kay was also a great listener and friend when you need help with a student.
    Mary Kay will still be watching over you and the girls from heaven.
    Carla Terrian
    6th grade PILC Teacher

  3. I wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. I hadn’t heard that Mary K was sick. I haven’t seen her in many years but we grew up together about a mile apart in Holabird. I wish so much that we had stayed in touch and known each other as adults too. She was a wonderful friend and I will always cherish those memories!

  4. Brad and girls.. We are so sorry for your loss.. Both of us have been there before and we know how you are feeling ! Please take one day at a time and just emember all the good time that is something no one can take away from you !!! Mary K is pain free and is watching over you all. You all are in our prayer & you have our condfolences too Tell MaryK folk we are thinking of them too!!Phyllis and Bob

  5. Brad and Girls~
    I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. She was a wonderful lady with a heart of gold. I will cherish the memories I had of her as a teacher, coach, and friend. I know she will be missed by all.
    Take Care and may God help you through this time.

    Sincerely, Nick,Becca(Westphal), Austin,leanne,Katelyn,and Mandy Jo Vanhorn

  6. I am so sorry for your loss. I haven’t seen Mary K in several years, but I have so many fond memories of her from Kindergarten at Holabird through graduation at Highmore. My thoughts are with you in this difficult time; God Bless your family.

  7. Kristin,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of loss. God Bless!

  8. Taylor,
    I am so sorry to hear about your mom. Just remember, she’ll be with you everywhere you go, as you’ll care her in your heart forever. If there is anything I can do to help you, just call.

    A Friend,
    Courtney

  9. Brad and family, I am very sorry to hear about Mary K. Cole. My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.

  10. Brad and Girls, So Sorry to here about Mary K. She was a very special person.Our prayer’s are with you and your family.
    God BLESS You Brad and your family.
    Patti,Ronnie,Dallas,Dusty & Bobbie Ann

  11. Brad, Girls, and Family,

    Thinking of you during your loss and keeping you all in my prayers.
    May God grant you his peace and lift you up while you mourn.

  12. Brad, I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your wife and your daughter’s mother. She is now resting and will always be remembered by all of you. May God bless you and your family in your time of sorrow.

    Take Care,

    Monty Dugas

  13. Brad, My sincerest sympathies on the passing of your wife. Our prayers are with your family. I also, haven’t seen you in many years. I went to High School with Mary K. and later worked with you one summer with Ballew Const. I have a lot of great memories with each you. George Washington Carver stated “The world cares very little about what a person knows. It’s what a person does with what they know that counts”. Mary K. did that and much more.

  14. God bless you and your family. She is by his side and will see you again.

  15. Heather (VanDenBerg) Kreutz says:

    I just wanted to send my condolences to Mary K.’s family. I remember her as always smiling and happy. She was my sister, Susan’s, good friend in high school. I was truly saddened to hear of her illness and passing. She was always so spunky and bubbly. I’m sure she will truly be missed by all who knew her. Our prayers are with her whole family during this time of need.

  16. Kristin, my deepest sorrow for the loss of your sister. I know she was a big part of your life, and will be missed tremendously. Remember that I am here for you.

    God BLess you and your family.

  17. Mrs. Cole you was my 5th grade teacher here in Lower Brule.

  18. Our prayers are with you and your family.

    Gary

  19. Our sincere sympathies to your family in this time of sorrow. Mary was a wonderful and talented girl and will remain in our hearts forever. Give each other love and support and my God help you through this emotional time.

  20. We are so sorry for your loss. Mary Kay was a very special person. We managed to see her at different sporting events and always enjoyed those times. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
    Jerry and Beverly King

  21. We are thinking of all of you during this time. We wish you many happy memories of Mary K. She was a super person. Take care and God Bless. Judy and Woody Grabinski and family.

  22. Brad & Family,
    We at Nufarm and also personally share our thoughts and prayers with you at this time of need. As she will be missed by all of you we will also miss her smiling face. On our trips to the wonderful State of South Dakota we always enjoyed the time we had to spend with her. She will truly be missed.

  23. Brad and Girls:
    I am so sorry for your great loss. Coach Cole was such an inspiration for many of us, her great laugh will always be with me. My heart goes out to you and you have been in my thought and prayers for these many months and will continue.

  24. I am so saddened with Mary K losing her battle with cancer. She was such a fighter. Kristin, we are all thinking of you at this sad time. My deepest sympathy to Brad, Amanda, Jordan and Taylor and all of your family members. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. God bless.

  25. Mary K made such a difference in our kids lives here at PILC!! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!!

  26. Mary K will be greatly missed.

  27. My deepest sympathies to the family and friends.

  28. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this very sad time. I only talked to Mary K once when she stopped by our office here at CACS, but I feel like I knew her through Kristin. She sounds like she was a great person!

    Her memory will live on in each one of you.

    God Bless You!

  29. Fabian/Marcella Howe and Family says:

    Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. She was a great inspiration to all. I will always remember her great smile.

    She taught one of our sons in Harrold.

  30. Angie (Wheelhouse) Harvey says:

    To Mary K’s family – My sincerest sympathies. Mary K has shown us all how to live life to the fullest and to never give up no matter how hard the fight. She touched the lives of many and will truly live forever in each one of us that was lucky enough to have known her.

  31. You have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your wife, mother, and friend. I always looked forward to coaching against Mary K and she brought forth all of the great qualities that a coach should have. Jordan your mother was very proud of you and what you accomplished this year as a senior. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Coach Pool

  32. Brad and girls, We extend our deepest sympathy to you all. Hold tight to the many good memories that you have of Mary k and treasure those. Your strong faith and your examples of love, devotion and committment to each other and to Mary K have been such an inspiration to us all. Hold tight to to each other and to your faith in God!! God Bless you all!

  33. I was in grade school when she was in high school but I always remember her as being vibrant and sweet. I guess it says alot if she left an impression on a 5th grader. My deepest sympathies go out to all her family and friends

  34. Listen to the whispers from heaven, feel the love in your heart, and know that an angel(MaryK)is nearby and always with you.

    Joey, Peg Kusser and family

  35. My thoughts and prayers are with your family as you go through this difficult time. Mary K taught me in 5th grade in Harrold and she was so vibrant. That is my memory of her she just seemed to glow. She affected so many people in so many ways. I was very lucky to have known her. God bless you all in this diffucult time.

  36. Dwayne and Shalista Anderson says:

    Your family is in our prayers.

  37. I am one of the people who took the Big Horn Teachers Masters Program with Mary K. She was fun to have around and always smiling. I remember her family coming to Billings for the graduation. I was deeply sad to see that she has passed away. My thoughts and prayers to her family.

  38. Justin, Sarah & Jaydon Goebel says:

    Mary K is such a blessing to so many people, she will be missed. God bless each of you, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

  39. Brady and girls,
    We are so sorry to hear about your wife/mother. May God give you all the strength and love you need to get through this time. You are in our prayers. God Bless, Mike and Kelly Heid

  40. We are so sad to hear of MaryK’s passing. Our deepest sympathies at this time. We got to know Mary K and the girls through basketball and times at the river. Jeni and Amanda played bb/vb against each other when Jeni went to Highmore. Elaine and MaryK coached VB against each other as well. We always enjoyed MaryK’s friendliness and smile. May God’s love comfort your hearts at this time. Brad, Elaine & Jeni Zell

  41. I am so sorry for your loss. Mary K was a very special person. I have many fun memories of Mary K from high school. We played basketball and attended 4-H camps together. She was always so energetic and full of life. I will always remember her smile and her outlook on life.

  42. Elmer and Mary: We are so sorry to hear the news of your daughter’s passing! Want you to know that you and your family are in our prayers!! With deepest Sympathy, Jerome and Martha Jaeger

  43. We are sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.


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