Gail A. Cole

Gail A. Cole, age 75 of Gillett, passed away on Monday, March 10, 2025 after battling with Parkinson's disease for 24 years. Gail was born on September 24, 1949 to the late Nathan and Juanita Horne in Waukesha, WI. She graduated from Hartland Arrowhead High School in 1967 and UW-Stout in 1971. Gail received her Master's of Special Education from UW-Oshkosh in 1990. After spending several years at home taking care of her kids, Gail entered the workforce at CESA 8 in Gillett. She worked first as a secretary in the office, then as a teacher's aide, and finally as a Special Ed teacher at Gillett High School, in a career that spanned 28 years.
After high school, Gail attended UW-Stout where she met her husband, Bill. They married in 1971, and moved to Gillett in 1972, where they raised their two children, and became very involved in the community. Gail was on the original committee that founded the Sunshine Childcare Center. She was involved with the Gillett Civic Club food stand and was a member of the Finnegan Lake Walleye Club. Gail also enjoyed helping with the We Believe Christmas program in Gillett. Gail and Bill enjoyed traveling with family and friends. They visited all 50 states. The couple also served as Grand Marshalls for the Gillett Fourth of July Celebration one year. In her spare time, Gail enjoyed gardening, crafting, fishing, bird watching, and playing a horse racing game monthly with friends. She especially loved all of the time spent with her four grandchildren: attending sporting events, hosting tea parties, creating treasure hunts, and playing Yahtzee.
She will be remembered for her kindness, wit, and sense of humor.
Gail is survived by her husband of 54 years, Bill; son, James (Trisha) Cole of Janesville, WI; daughter, Heather (Brek) Zortman of Mukwonago, WI; grandchildren, Luke (Kendra Elgin) Zortman of Council Bluffs, IA, Julia Zortman of Madison, WI, and Anna and Ally Cole of Janesville, WI; sisters, Sandie Horne of Hartland, WI and Jeri (Mike) Henman of Mayville, WI. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Nathan and Juanita Horne of Sussex, WI; mother and father-in-law, John and Mary Cole of Indianapolis, IN; brother, Duane Horne of Tilleda, WI; sister-in-law, Susan Cole of Indianapolis, IN; brother-in-law, John E. Cole of Gilbert, AZ.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at The Oconto County Fair Expo Hall in Zippel Park from 10 am until the memorial service at 12 pm. A celebration of life will follow the service. Gruetzmacher Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be expressed at www.gruetzmacherfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to thank the staffs of Evergreen Health Services in Shawano, ThedaCare at Home, and ThedaCare Hospice for the wonderful care and compassion shown to Gail and her family during their time of need. Further thanks to Gail's sister, Sandie, for her dedicated and compassionate care.