Ki Sun Connie Cole

~Lovingly Written By The Family~
Ki Sun Connie Cole, age 89 of Joplin, Missouri passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Saturday, September 20, 2025 following a decline in health.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Robin Michelle Lee Cole; deceased November 9, 1989 and her son, Casey Montgomery Cole, deceased on October 11, 2004; her parents, Richard E. Cole, Sr., Betty Nichols Cole, and Mary Ann Cole, Donna Cole Bechhold, sister-in-law, of San Antonio, Texas.
She is survived by her husband, Richard E. Cole Jr. of Joplin, Missouri, Joseph Carl Cole, her oldest son, of Los Angeles, California, Janice Ann Tate (Jim), sister-in-law and brother-in-law of Joplin, Missouri, Dennis Bechhold, brother-in-law, San Antonio, Texas, Mary Lee Cole Keeling, sister-in-law of Joplin, Missouri. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Connie was born April 22, 1936 in Kun Sun South Korea. During her early teen years, she and her family endured the invasion of South Korea from North Korea. It was a very frightening time for her and her family, but they were able to survive.
As a young adult, she began working at the Kun Sun Air Force Base. She was smart, responsible and energetic and soon moved to a position of Assistant Manager at the Base Exchange, it is here where she met a handsome and kind young Airman, Richard E. Cole, Jr. Their friendship grew in to the love of her life and the respect and devotion was mutual. At the end of Richard's tour, they were married on May 22, 1964 at the American Embassy in Seoul, Korea. Their love and commitment to each other carried them back to the USA in June of 1964. Their travel ended in southwestern Ozarks of Joplin, Missouri, where she began a new life halfway around the world with the man she loved so dearly. They celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary in May of 2024. Later, in her life, she happily obtained her U.S. citizenship at the Court House in Joplin, on April 29, 1974, just after her 38th birthday.
Connie and Richard's family grew to include three beautiful children. Joseph Carl Cole, the oldest child still living in Los Angeles, California. The sad loss of their two younger children, Robin, and Casey were tragic for the family and their loss will never fade from their hearts and memory. The love of family and friends helped to strengthen them during this difficult time.
Connie mostly loved making a home with her husband and children. She was a great cook, very organized and many of her extended family enjoyed Sunday dinners around her dining table. On special occasions she fixed her favorite Korean dishes for family and it was always delicious and enjoyed by all. Sewing was another one of Connie's creative skills as well as flower arranging. She was an expert and immaculate seamstress. She opened a small business in her home and made many new friends and happy customers. Her business grew and she later moved to a room in back of the Casa Blanca Video, located on South Main in Joplin, which was their family owned business. She later sewed alterations for some of the bigger downtown department stores on Main Street and became friends with some of the owners and managers, receiving high praise for her work.
Connie is a very much beloved family member by all her family and friends. She will be missed very much by everyone. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.
Cremation arrangements are under the direct care of Parker Mortuary in Joplin, MO.