Bernice “Bebe” Pauline Kellstrom Cole died peacefully surrounded by family on September 26, 2023 at the age of 97. She was born November 26th, 1925, to Ben and Gusten Kellstrom in Hutto, TX. She is survived by her daughters Diane Webb and husband Lee, Donna Jill Kiefer and husband Stan, granddaughters Dawn Shaw and husband Matt, Spring Hollen and husband Jason, and Joy Rener and husband Zach.
She also leaves her precious great grandchildren who revered her as the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time): Sydney Crawford and husband Thomas; Ethan Shaw; Cole, Maddy and Carson Hollen; and Ava, Trevor, and Henry Rener. She also leaves many special nieces and nephews who called her “Aunt Bernice,” as well as a community of close friends who were like family to her. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband James H. Cole; her parents; and sisters, Margaret Weber, and Dorothy Lodin.
Bebe graduated from Hutto High School in 1943 and then attended Nixon Clay Commercial College. She married James H. Cole on May 9th, 1945 and they remained in loving unity for 58 years. She retired from the IRS after 15 years in 1972 and then became a charter member of the Georgetown Hospital auxiliary, but her true passion was taking care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren through all her days.
Bebe loved to cook and hosted family and friends every holiday or special occasion. She loved to garden, paint fine china, play dominoes, travel, and drink coffee with her friends & family. She was also a devoted member of the friendship class at St. John’s United Methodist Church where she was a founding member.
We’d like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to the owners and staff at Riva Ridge Assisted Living Facility for their love and care of our Bebe. Everyone there loved her.
Please join us for a service honoring her life on Nov. 4th, 2023 at 12:00 pm at St. John’s United Methodist Church; reception to follow in the fellowship hall.
If you would like to make memorial donations please send them to St. John’s United Methodist Church, Austin, Texas or the Lewy Body Dementia Association (lbda.org).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishleander.com for the Cole family.
