Ulysses "Bud" B. Cole

Ulysses “Bud” Burdette Cole, passed away peacefully at the age of 89 years at the Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta, Monday, September 18, 2017. He was born on May 25, 1928 in Ontario, WI. 

He enlisted in the US Navy at age 16 and was to deploy the day the war ended. Bud married the former Edith J. Wassink of Sheboygan, WI and relocated to Sparta, WI in 1950. Edith preceded him in death on August 23, 2011.  He attended college at UW Platteville. Bud was an avid outdoorsman his entire life. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was instrumental in forming the Wisconsin Trappers Association and received several awards from the National Forestry Division. 

After retiring from the Veteran’s Administration in Tomah as a nurse’s aide, Bud and Edith opened the Old Frontier Antique Store on Hwy 21 between Sparta and Fort McCoy in which they operated for over 30 years. He was a member of the local Antique Association and traveled to many states to acquire his merchandise. After retiring he enjoyed gardening and traveling. Bud will be sadly missed by his family and friends. 

Bud is survived by his two daughters, Deborah (Michael) Wrage, of Henderson, NV; and Theresa (Creg Jenkins) Jacobs, of Sparta, WI. He is further survived by a sister, Josephine (Glen) Parkhurst, of Janesville, WI. 

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of over 60 years, Edith (Wassink) Cole; mother and step father, Beatrice (Calhoun) and James Bavetta, of Ontario, WI; and a sister, Ardin (Richard) Sorenson, of Elk Grove, IL. 

A Graveside burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 27, at Sunrise Memorial Gardens, Sheboygan. Visitation for Bud will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, September 25, at the Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta. Online condolences may be offered to Bud’s family at www.schanhoferfh.com. 

The family would like to thank the staff of Parkview Apartments and the staff at the Morrow Memorial Home for the care and friendship given to Bud over the last number of years. 

The Lanham-Schahofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

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