1946-2024
With sadness, we announce the passing of longtime Panora resident Nina Elaine Cole of North Las Vegas, Nevada. Nina, 76, daughter of HR Robert (Bob) and Mary Anne (Overing) Park, was born Oct. 26, 1946, in Bellville, Kansas. She passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, at Mountain View Hospital in Las Vegas, surrounded by family and her long-time friend.
Nina grew up in Council Bluffs, where she enjoyed playing musical instruments, hanging out with her friends, and visiting the farm, where she enjoyed visiting her cousins and “Gram.” She was the youngest of two children. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs in 1964. After being introduced to the love of her life, Gary, by his sister, Donna, they knew the time was right. After three days of courtship in 1968, they eloped to Las Vegas and married at Little Church of the West.
In a time when many women did not work outside the home, Nina held several impressive positions, including Secretary to the Secretary of the Navy in the Pentagon at Washington, D.C., stints at the Governor’s Office in Iowa, and Staffing Supervisor at Woodward State Hospital. However, her favorite role was that of mother; two children were born to the union. When they started their family, the couple left D.C. and returned to the Midwest to be closer to family. Watching her boys excel in their high school sports in Panora was one of her greatest pleasures. She was known throughout the small town, where she and Gary raised the boys, as their biggest cheerleader.
Her laugh was infectious and could be heard often when she gathered with friends. She found much joy in her weekly backgammon dates, trips, and participation in Eastern Star functions with her dear friends, Virginia and Marilyn. She was a devoted follower of the Chicago Cubs and Nebraska football.
Nina’s sense of style was always noteworthy. She was a trailblazer with a splash of purple in her graying hair and was always happy to get her nails manicured in the colors of special events, like her grandson’s high school graduation or Mojave High School orange.
Nina is survived by her son, Gregory Cole (Stephanie Francis) and his son, Matthew, both of North Las Vegas, Nevada; and her brother’s daughter, Marcie (PJ) Douglas of Temecula, California; as well as many cousins on both sides of the family. She is preceded in death by her parents, HR (Bob) and Mary Park; her husband, Gary Cole; her son, Treffie; and her brother, William (Joyce) Park.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the wonderful caregivers, friends, members of the Eastern Star and Masonic Lodge and ask that donations, rather than flowers, be made to her beloved Eastern Star chapters either in Las Vegas, Nevada (North Star #33 OES, 2929 Van Der Meer Drive, 89030) or Linden, Iowa (Linden #482 OES, 110 E Market St., Panora, IA, 50216).