BOONE, Iowa—Loryl Jean Cole, 92, of Westhaven Community in Boone, Iowa, passed away in the early morning of Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Boone County Hospital, surrounded by her family.

She was born on August 11, 1931, in Havelock, Iowa, the daughter of Gordon and Rose (Schallan) Leigh. Loryl graduated from Havelock High School in 1948. On May 29, 1954, she married Gerald Lee Cole at the United Methodist Church in Havelock, Iowa. She graduated from UNI in 1968 with a degree in education. Following graduation, she taught for 25 years in Mason City, Iowa.

Loryl was a member of NEA, ISEA, ADK, Eastern Star, Boone Women’s Club, and was a 50+ year member of the Methodist Church. She also volunteered at the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Cole; parents, Gordon and Rose Leigh; and her sister, Nancy Lathrop.

Loryl is survived by two daughters, Cynthia (Fred) Brandt of Aztec, New Mexico, and Jeri (John) Nerem of Boone, Iowa; four grandchildren: Nathan (Meredith) Nerem of Boone, Iowa, Nicholas (Heather) Nerem of Urbandale, Iowa, Neil (Lisa) Nerem of Boone, Iowa, and Amanda (Aaron) Williams of Redding, California; seven great-grandchildren: Carden Nerem, Hayden Nerem, Mya Nerem, Mason Nerem, Sophia Nerem, Olivia Nerem, Amelia Williams; and adopted granddaughter, Rosie Goff of Denison, Texas, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Following Loryl’s wishes, she has been cremated.

Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home in Boone. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Washington Cemetery in Havelock, Iowa, at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024.

Memorials in Loryl’s memory can be directed to the family to be used for the general fund of the First United Methodist Church of Boone, Iowa.

Online condolences may be left at www.schroederfuneral.com

Loryl Cole, 92, Boone, Iowa