Laureia Gaye Cole

Laureia Gaye (Mrs. Robert) Cole, age 53, Clark, SD died peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, February 7, 2013 in the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls. She had suffered an apparent brain bleed on Monday evening at her home in Clark. At her request, cremation has taken place and there will be no formal services She was born Laureia Gaye Crawford on July 3, 1959 in Louisville, KY, the daughter of William and Jackie (Roberts) Crawford. She grew to adulthood in Kentucky where she attended Evangel Christian School. Following her high school graduation, Laureia worked at a variety of flower shops and other jobs. She was married to Curtis McKinney for 23 years. She married Robert Cole on September 28, 2004 at Watertown, SD. In 2010, Laureia and Bob moved to Clark, SD where they have resided since. Laureia was a talented home decorator. She was a devout Christian whose daily ritual included reading from the Bible and keeping up with her many friends and family. Laureia loved homemaking and making people feel welcome in her home. She was interested in antiques and was especially knowledgeable about antique dolls. She loved animals. Laureia understood and valued all different types of people. Laureia's southern charm, hospitality and straight forward manner of speaking will be greatly missed. Those preceding her in death include her father and grandparents. Grateful for having shared in her life are: her husband Robert of Clark, SD; her mother, Jackie Crawford of Elizabethtown, KY; her daughter Hannah McKinney and her former husband, Curtis McKinney both of Bardstown, KY; step-children, Tyler Cole of Pierre, and Steven and Samantha Cole of Watertown; siblings, William J. Crawford of Butler, GA, Fred B. Crawford of Elizabethtown, KY and Kimberly F. Crawford of Louisville, KY; several nieces and nephews and two great-nephews Caleb and Carson. She also leaves a grandson, Logan, a mother-in-law, Charlotte Cole of Watertown, SD and a sister-in-law, Meg English of Belle Fourche, SD. God Bless the Memory of Laureia G. Cole. Condolences can be mailed to Robert Cole at 103 5th Avenue NE, Clark, SD 57225 Furness Funeral Home of Clark is serving the family where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com