Loretta "Rita" Kay Cole

Loretta “Rita” Kay Cole died July 4, 2025, at Beadles New Beginnings in Alva, Oklahoma, at the age of 87.

“Mrs. Rita” Cole was born on October 18, 1937, in Danville, Kansas, to Glenn Jessie Coslett and Ruth Jeanie Fowler. She was raised in Wichita, Kansas, where she attended school and graduated from Wichita East High School in 1956. Following her education, she began working at Boeing as a timekeeper until retiring. While working at Boeing, she met Jack Oakley. They were married in 1957 in Wichita, and to their union four children were born: Karla, Jackie, Mark, and Kim. The family later moved to Spokane, Washington, then returned to Oklahoma in 1964.

On August 31, 1979, Rita married Bob Cole in Las Vegas, Nevada. They settled on Bob’s farm, where he continued farming. Rita supported him in every way she could. Bob retired from farming in 2002, and the couple moved to Blackwell, Oklahoma, shortly thereafter.

While living in Blackwell, Rita worked at Braum’s and at Roberts & Son Funeral Home. She was a member of the Blackwell Church of Christ. Rita enjoyed visiting with family and friends, tending to her flower garden, and most of all, attending the annual Coslett Family Reunion held each July.

She is survived by her daughters, Karla Martens and her husband, Blaine, of Crescent, Oklahoma, and Kim Stelling and her husband, Randy, of Alva, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Chelsea Robinson and her husband, Scott, of Fairview, Oklahoma; Chauncey Mulloy, of Fairview, Oklahoma; Cody Stelling and his wife, Tamera, of Goldsby, Oklahoma; and Alissa Stelling and her partner, Jesse Fowler, of Newcastle, Oklahoma; great-grandchildren, Mulloy, Kamden King, Wiggle Robinson, Andon, Brenton, Kinder, and Lettie Mallory; Addison, Cooper, Brooks, and Emerson Stelling; brothers-in-law, Earl Coffman of Nixa, Missouri; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews whom she adored, including Keith and Sandra Reynolds, Shar and Jesse Laumeyer, Yvonne and Jack Ann, Bobby and Julie Coslett, Lonnie and Lisa Coslett, Glen and Gail Coffman, Ronnie Reynolds, and Lori Reynolds.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Jackie; her son, Mark; her husband, Bob Cole; her sister, Willeaden; and brothers-and-sisters-in-law: Verle and Jean Ann Coslett, Kenneth and Colleen Coslett, and Ruth and Ken Pettit; and a nephew, Keith Reynolds.

Pallbearers are announced as Randy, Mulloy, Cody, Stelling, Trey Stelling, Cooper Stelling, Jesse Laumeyer, and Sage Savanna Robinson. Honorary pallbearers are Keith Reynolds, Bobby Coslett, Lonnie Coslett, Jesse Laumeyer, Ronnie Reynolds, and Jack Ann.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rita’s honor to the Blackwell Nursing Home, 316 E. Alva, Oklahoma, or to the Blackwell Church of Christ.

Public visitation will be held Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 11, 2025, in the Roberts Chapel, with Rev. Matt Smith of the Immanuel Baptist Church officiating. Burial to follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Nardin, Oklahoma.

Online condolences may be made at robertsandsonfh.com.