Montana Jean Cole

Montana Jean Cole was born August 23, 2002. She was the fourth child born to Joe and Carolyn Cole. She was one of six children. She attended Olpe Elementary through Olpe Jr. /Sr. High. She loved horses, playing with her siblings, swimming, being highly active in her younger years and her FAMILY!!  She loved attending all Olpe sports activities for the sporting events and the love of seeing, hugging, and visiting with others. She LOVED riding in feed trucks during cattle seasons, side-by-sides while burning pastures and all her random adventures.

She was diagnosed the day after her ninth birthday with Craniopharyngioma brain tumors which led to nine other medical diagnoses. Her journey led us to St. Jude in Memphis, TN. This journey took us through five brain surgeries, proton radiation, gamma knife radiation, experimental drugs, infections, a stroke, many hospitals…the list is forever long for most…it was her life. She NEVER complained. She always had a smile on her face, and she never met a stranger. She will be remembered for her smile, hugs and giggles or THE GIGGLE. Her inner light was bright and vast, and she touched SO many.

She participated in Busy Beavers 4-H club. She loved art, visiting with others and holding babies.  Her easy-going attitude and demeaner was what got her through this difficult period of her life.

She was preceded in death by all her grandparents, two uncles and a few cousins. She is survived by her parents, her brother, Levi and his wife Bailey; sister, Jade and her husband Joe Metzger; sister, CheyAnn; brother, Garret and sister, Destiny.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Olpe, on Friday, February 9, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. Overflow seating will be available at Olpe High School.  Interment will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery.  The Rosary will be recited Thursday evening at 7:00 at the church. The family will receive friends following the Rosary.

Memorials have been established with St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital or the Eagle Creek Saddle Club. Contributions may be sent through the Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.