Rita Jean (Peterson) Cole

Rita Jean (Peterson) Cole, born March 20, 1942, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday evening, March 6, 2016. Rita is finally free from her cancer and the many ailments that came along with it. Rita showed unbelievable strength and determination as she fought for her life each and every day for the past year and a half. She continued to amaze the doctors and medical staff right up until the end, not only by winning battle after battle, but she did so while still maintaining her wit and amazing sense of humor, something she will always be remembered for by many. Her last three weeks were spent in her home surrounded by her loving family and many close friends. Her devoted husband of almost 56 years, Earl Cole, lovingly and tirelessly cared for her 24 hours a day. The love he has for her made her last days on this Earth meaningful and provided her with a level of comfort that allowed her to pass peacefully and pain-free. Rita had many interests in her life from tap dancing to one of her most favorites, golf. Rita retired from Tooele Army Depot in 1993 as a contracting officer. She and her husband spent several years traveling the country in their motor home until health issues prevented them from continuing. Rita was born in Salt Lake City, the second daughter of Albert Golden “Goldie” Peterson and Ruth Benalee Heskett Peterson of Tooele. Rita was preceded in death by her mother, father, older sister Donna Farison of Huntsville, Alabama, and brother-in-law Lewis Hahne of Clinton. Rita is survived by the following: her beloved husband, Earl Bateman Cole, of Tooele; her two children, Scott Earl Cole and Stacey Michelle Cole, both of Tooele; three grandchildren, Nicholas Scott (Melissa) Cole of Tooele, Whitney Marie Cole of Gillette, Wyoming, and Cole Allen Robinson of Tooele; her great-grandson, Jake Nicholas Cole of Tooele; three of her siblings, Jolynne (Mike) Johnsen of Stansbury, Sandra Hahne of Clinton and Kevin(Cindy) Peterson of Layton; 14 nieces and nephews; and many great nieces and nephews. Services for Rita will be held at Tate Mortuary and the schedule will be as follows: A viewing will be held on Thursday, March 10, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 11, at 11 a.m. The funeral service will be preceded by an additional viewing from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Rita will be dearly missed by many and will always be remembered for her sense of humor, strength, and determination to fight for her life, never giving up.