Gertrue Hathcock Kreiner Cole

Gert (75) passed into the loving arms of her lord and savior Wednesday March 6, 2019. She was born January 12, 1944 to Sam Dewey Hathcock and Ophelia Hill in Lake County, Tennessee, as the eleventh child of thirteen. She lived her life until after high school as a member of their sharecropper family.

She moved to the Chicago area until 1994. She worked for 25 years as a wonderful waitress and raised three children, married R. Eugene Kreiner, and was involved in many other activities. After retiring to Hot Springs Village she and Gene were busy, Gert played with WGA9, Golden Senior Bowlers, Desoto Square Dancers and the Village Church of Christ and travel. Gene passed away in 1998. Gert took two teenaged grandsons to raise through high school. She married Edgar (Ned) Cole in November 1999. They continued an active life.

In 2006 Gert was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. She continued an active life until October 2010 when she was placed in memory care facilities. She continued activities as long as she was able. In 2013 she was transferred to Tender Loving Care of “Canyon Springs Health & Rehab” and remained there until her death. Gert will be remembered as a caring, loving person who never met a stranger.

Gert was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers, two sisters, and her first love Gene Kreiner. She is survived by her husband Ned Cole, three children, Melisa Witkin (Norm), Sheila Birmingham (Mike) and August, six grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date with interment of cremains at CedarVale Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to CedarVale Funeral Home of Hot Springs Village.