Mickie Alan Cole was born in Forsyth, Montana on November 21, 1946. The Cole family lived on an irrigated place on the Hammond Flats, west of Forsyth. Siblings were Ila Mae, Ronnie, Harold Edward and Larrie (Dick). They moved to a ranch on Cherry Creek near Big Sheep Mountain. Iola and Ila Mae taught at Pershing school on Cherry Creek and Mickie rode horseback to school. When Iola taught at Strobel school near Fallon, Mickie went along with her, though he was too young for school. He also attended grade school in Fallon. The Coles raised horses and cattle and Mickie also raised sheep. He was active in 4-H, raising and showing horses at Terry fair. As a teenager he jockeyed racehorses for his dad at various local racetracks in Brockway, Terry, Jordan, Circle and Ekalaka. After high school he met Evelyn Barnick through her cousin. They were married in Glendive at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Their son Michael Shawn was born in Miles City only living 20 ½ hours and is buried in Miles City.
Mickie graduated from junior college in Miles City and worked at Glenn’s Standard. Michele Meri (Chele) was born in Miles City. Mickie and family moved to Bozeman where he attended and graduated from college with an agricultural and teaching degree. He first taught in Wibaux for 9 years, Miles City 3 years and Baker 1 year teaching Vocational Ag and an FFA advisor at all three schools. He also taught drivers ed and leatherwork classes in Wibaux. Michael and Nikki were born in Glendive.
After retiring from teaching, Mickie purchased a truck doing lots of hauling in the area. He later worked for Jerke Livestock doing long haul trucking. While living at Kinsey, he purchased 30 calves from Fort Keogh, most were only 3 weeks old They were fed a grain ration with milk replacer. Evelyn bottle fed some. We saved them all.
Mickie enjoyed the outdoors—hunting in particular, always helping to keep food on the table. He liked to fish. His life on the ranch made him appreciate livestock, the care of the land, a good horse to be rode. He was good at breaking horses. He attended the Calgary Stampede in the early seventies, just to watch a horse that had been sold to Jack Witcher, a Cole ranch horse that Mickie had started. The horse went on to be awarded the Calgary Stampede top calf horse.
Chele went to college in Bozeman, Michael in Billings and Nikki in Williston and Fargo. Mickie continued to work at the ranch with help from Michele.
In 2004, we purchased a home in Miles City and lived there until his health declined. He lived at Parkview Caring for almost 11 years before passing away and Evelyn still lives in the house.
Our daughter Shawn Lynn Lukens married Ray McLaughlin they have a daughter Sarah and a son Ryan and live in Stockton, California where Ray is retired, and Shawn teaches in a high school. Chele married Dan Harrington in 2012. Dan’s son Jay helps on the ranch southeast of Fallon. Dan’s daughter Jennifer married Chris Bolin and they have two sons: Jack and Emmett and a brother is expected in May 2023. They live near Morrison, Colorado. Our son Michael married Tracy Spooner in Laurel in 2001. Both live in Billings and work. They have 2 dogs Jovi & Memphis and 2 cats.
Nikki Lila lives in Miles City and works in food service at the hospital. She rescued a cat and named him Whisper who is 10 Months old.
He enjoyed being an uncle to 12 nieces and 8 nephews.
Mickie was preceded in death by both of his parents and all four of his siblings.
Family will receive friends on Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. There will also be a family receive friends on Sunday, February 5, 2023 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Terry.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday February 4, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main St.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Family to Receive Friends
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday February 5, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Terry, Montana 59349
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Monday February 6, 2023
Community Presbyterian Church
317 Logan Ave
Terry, Montana 59349
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday February 4, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main St.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Family to Receive Friends
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday February 5, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Terry, Montana 59349
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Monday February 6, 2023
Community Presbyterian Church
317 Logan Ave
Terry, Montana 59349
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Meredith says
Sorry for your loss. It’s never easy no matter the circumstances. Our prayers and thoughts are with you
Helen Johnsen Deines says
I am so sorry Evelyn, but God has taken away all the agonies he has had….you and your kiddos will miss him. Remember the good times
Lynn ziebarth says
So sorry may the memories be Great. I’m sure he is at peace and comforted now
Lon and Vicki Reukauf says
Cole Family,
What a great loss of a good neighbor and wonderful guy! May you all be surrounded with Gods comfort and peace beyond all understanding. We will miss him, too.
Butch and Julie Krutzfeldt says
Remembering all the students and young people Mickie helped along the way. Our deepest sympathy to the entire family.
Shawna Gustad says
Cole Family Especially My dear friend Evelyn
You in my thoughts and prayers. Wish I could be there for you. But I will be there in spirit.
I wish I could have met your husband. He sounds like a great guy
Shawna Gustad says
Cole Family Especially My dear friend Evelyn
You in my thoughts and prayers. Wish I could be there for for you
I wish I could have met your husband. He sounds like a great guy
Guy Lund says
Evelyn, so sorry to see Mickie has passed. He was a great person. Having known Mickie all my life, there are too many memories to share but know he will be missed by many people.
Jan and Kim Keltner says
We knew Mick all of our lives. Sorry to hear the sad news.
Margo Hellickson says
My thoughts and prayers on your loss. I have fond memories of teaching with Mickie in Wibaux. Those were the good old days. The staff really had a good bond, which at that time was needed to survive.
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
I heard Mikki’s name spoken about every since i became a Willson over the last 55+ years, but I never did get to know him until he lived at Parkview and walked to the VA to have his lunch and visit his friends. We had many visits, since I was from Kinsey and loved sheep as well, enjoying his sheep stories, especially about the Willson’s shearing his sheep. I also enjoyed giving him a lift to his home sometimes after lunch. He was a very sweet, gentle soul.
Christine Whitlock Keltner says
Sorry to hear———-blessings and prayers to you all.
I’ve heard many stories of when Chris and Mic were headed into Terry for school
Louise de Montigny says
My condolences to the Cole family. I enjoyed visiting with Mickie, seeing his humor, and hearing his stories. He loved Cherry Creek and was proud to be part of that community. Peace be with you all and Mickie too.
Barb Smalis says
Mickie was a true honorable man with a heart of gold. May the good times sustain all his family during this hard time and also knowing that he is with our Lord.
Darlene L Strobel says
Chele, Dan and all,
My deepest sympathies to you in your great loss. Mickie had a good one life, making the most if it, even with that horrible disease. He was always friendly and enjoyed seeing people he knew. May God give you strength and courage in the difficult times ahead. 🙏💖
Diane, Sharon, Judy says
Our deepest condolences to Mikie’s family. He will always be a Cherry Creek boy in our hearts.
The Chuck Hubing Family
Deb Cornelusen says
Evelyn and families,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.
Stew and Deb Corneliusen
Sharon Allen-Albery says
Evelyn,. I wish I could be there for you but 1600 miles and weather. Too much to handle with a new knee. Please know my thoughts are with you and your family. Prayers as you move forward in the days and months ahead.
Hugs,.