Lois Cole

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lois Ann Mortenson Taliaferro Cole of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. Lois passed away the morning of May 27, 2025, in her home. She was 80.

Lois was born along with her twin brother, Luis, on September 2nd, 1944, in Wausau, Wisconsin, the daughter of Lewis Mortenson and Freda Ruth Palesch. She grew up on a dairy farm with her seven siblings and loved riding horses.

Lois attended Pershing Elementary School, grades 1-8, and graduated from Wausau High School in 1963. She married Curtis Taliaferro in 1966, and they later settled in Madison, Wisconsin. They had five children together before Curtis’ death in 1980.

Lois met Cary Cole, and they married on June 18th, 1983. Shortly thereafter, they and their two youngest children left the city to start a new life in the countryside near Cottage Grove. On their farmette, Lois enjoyed keeping horses again.

Lois was a talented artist and enjoyed drawing, painting, photography, and videography. Each year, she attended and photographed or recorded the Midwest Horse Fair. Lois also photographed her loved ones. She would then make cards out of these photos, write loving sentiments to the person, and gift them to the individual.

Aside from horses, Lois enjoyed going for drives with her husband, entertaining children in the congregation, thrift shopping, and antiquing. Lois’ thrift shopping was usually done with others in mind. She sometimes resold antiques at the antique mall in Columbus. Her fond memories include her honeymoon with Cary at Hayward Lakes, Wisconsin, preaching in unassigned territory in North Dakota, and the family vacation in South Dakota that followed.

Lois was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses on July 25, 1969, and remained faithful to her God, Jehovah, until her death. For four years, serving in the Spanish congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses was a blessing and joy she always cherished. She especially loved people and shared her faith in the Bible with anyone she met.

At 4 feet 11 inches tall, Lois’ favorite joke to tell people was, “Do you know why my name is Lois? Because I’m lowest to the ground.” She never forgot this adorable saying - or her beloved husband - even at the very end. Lois and Cary were blessed to find one another and loved each other tremendously for the 42 years they were together. Cary’s epic love was further evident in his diligent care for Lois during these last few years, as her health rapidly deteriorated. His devotion to her was truly a marvel to both family and friends.

Lois has been described as incredibly strong and happy, remarkably kind and loving, unfailingly generous and selfless, and the most non-judgmental person we have ever known.

Remaining to cherish Lois’ memory are her husband, Cary Cole; children, TaLela (Tilly) Kerns (Todd Kerns) of Sun Prairie, WI; Timothy Taliaferro (Corina Butler) of Madison, WI; Daniel Taliaferro of Cottage Grove, WI; and Melody Taliaferro of Cottage Grove, WI; grandchildren, Marley Taliaferro (Luis Perez) of Madison, WI; and Sylvia Taliaferro of Madison, WI; great-grandchildren, Ella Perez and Elena Perez of Madison, WI; brothers, Clark Mortenson (Barb Mortenson) of Wausau, WI; Charles Mortenson of Iron River, WI; sisters, Rita Hawes (Paul Hawes) of Kasson, MN; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding Lois in death are her first husband, Curtis Taliaferro; son, Kurt Taliaferro; parents, Lewis and Ruth Mortenson; brothers, Ronald Mortenson, Luis Mortenson, and Terry Mortenson; and sister, Joan Streeter.

Memorial service information to follow.

Memorial donations in Lois’ memory may be directed to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

“The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.” ~ Psalms 37:29