Josephine Cole

Josie passed away unexpectedly on Dec 23, 2017 at the age of 74. She leaves behind her heartbroken children: Glenn Rasmussen (Kim) and Sherry Rasmussen (Ron Hagglund), and beloved granddaughter Michelle McMahon.

She worried about her little family like it was a part-time job. Nothing made her happier than spending time with them.

Josie’s memory will also be forever treasured by the rest of her loving family: her brother Joe, and sisters Jolana (Jerry), Anne, Mary and Jenny, her sisters-in-law Alice and Carol (Dennis), as well as her numerous nieces, nephews and other loved ones from all of her families (Krizak/Rasmussen/Cole/Hagglund).

Josie was born January 30, 1943 in Winnipeg. Her parents Anthony and Josephine emigrated from Czechoslovakia and settled in the Dufresne area. Josie was the second youngest of 7 children. She had many happy memories of growing up on the farm.

Josie met Robert Rasmussen at a dance in Monimento. They married in September 1961, had their son Glenn in March 1962 and daughter Sherry less than a year later in March 1963.

They moved their young family from small town to small town while Robert worked construction jobs. Ear Falls, Vermillion Bay, Rabbit Lake. Moving their mobile home each time until they finally settled in Dufresne close to Josie’s parents and her brother’s family. There were many fun family get togethers with the Krizak or the Rasmussen family.

Josie loved her family. She sewed clothes for her daughter and all of her dolls! She was always baking something yummy when her kids got off the school bus. She made them beautiful birthday cakes shaped like animals. She made Christmas magical and spectacular!

Josie returned to the work force when her children were teenagers, working at the Salisbury House at Deacon’s Corner for many years. Growing up on a farm, she knew very well what hard work was. And she did work hard AND expected those around her to do the same! She became a supervisor at Sal’s, and ended her 30-year career at the Regent and Plessis location.

Josie moved to Winnipeg when her first marriage ended and she later met and married Wayne Cole. They were living happily in Transcona, eventually buying a home on Regent that included a shop for Wayne’s business. Josie’s son Glenn and his friends spent a lot of time repairing their cars and motorcycles in this shop. She liked having her son so close by and was pretty thrilled when he bought the house next door. Josie and Wayne were married until 1997 when Wayne sadly died from cancer.

In 2008 Josie retired, sold her house and moved to St James to be nearer to her daughter and granddaughter. Not being a fan of driving, especially in an unfamiliar area, it took her a while to get settled. With the help of her sister Lydia, she soon got used to the area. And during this time she grew extremely close to her granddaughter Michelle. They spent a lot of time together, grocery shopping together, going to McDonald’s or Joey’s Only, and discussing all of their favorite shows.

Josie’s retirement came with some health issues and she stuck pretty close to home. She was very lucky to have a few kind friends who would drive her to medical appointments. And her son-in-law Ron was happy to be her chauffeur. She didn’t care to travel but she did go out to BC to visit her sisters a couple of times. She also took a few trips with her daughter and granddaughter to Grand Forks, Minneapolis, and Meadow Lake. She loved when her sisters came to visit and stayed with her at her apartment.

She liked her Chicken Soup for the Soul books, country music, TV, the Game Show channel, and her friends. Any one of them will tell you what a wicked sense of humour she had. She liked things a certain way, not a really go-with-the-flow kind of gal. And she wasn’t afraid to tell you if you were doing something the wrong way. She was a character for sure! She was also generous, kind-hearted, and caring.

She was a wonderful cook and liked to have her family over for stew, chicken and dumplings or cabbage casserole. She was only too happy to help Kim make her dill pickles. And she made Sherry her very favorite cake each birthday.

In the past few months Josie’s COPD worsened. Sadly, her lungs just couldn’t do the work anymore. After a week in hospital, she passed away with her family by her side.

We will miss her every day. We are grateful for all that she did for us. We take comfort in knowing that when she left us here on earth, she was surely welcomed by her sister Lydia (whom she missed so much), her parents, and of course her husband Wayne. He no doubt greeted her with his enormous smile!

We love you Mom, Grandma, Jos.

Her family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and messages during this difficult time.

If friends so desire, a donation may be made in her name to Rossbrook House. www.rossbrookhouse.ca

Thank you.

A Celebration of Josie's Life will take place on her 75th birthday, Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Green Acres Funeral Home and Cemetery, Highway 1 East at Navin Road, Winnipeg.