Robert "Robby" William Henderson - Cole

Robert “Robby” Henderson-Cole, age 46, of Park Rapids, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Essentia Health Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota, after a long and courageous battle with diabetes, heart disease, and kidney failure. A celebration of his life will be from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN, with a time of sharing and remembrance at 4:00 PM. The interment will follow at the Riverside Cemetery in Osage, MN.

Robby was born on February 16, 1979, in Detroit Lakes, MN, to Archie and Elizabeth (Buran) Henderson. Robby attended elementary school in Osage, MN, and later graduated from Park Rapids High School in 1997. He went on to earn his associate’s degree in computer science at Northwest Technical College in Thief River Falls. Robby returned to Osage and worked for NorthStar Orthodontics in Park Rapids. In 2015, he met his future husband, Clarence Cole, and the two settled in Fergus Falls. It was there that Robby’s passion for teaching began after going to work for Lutheran Social Services as a paraprofessional. The couple returned to Osage and Robby resumed his work at NorthStar, where he worked for a total of 13 years. In August of 2018, Robby started work for the Park Rapids High School as a para while also pursuing his teaching certification through online classes at Bemidji State University. Robby experienced one of the happiest days of his life when he and Clarence were united in marriage on September 28, 2019, in a ceremony held at the family farm.

Robby was active in One Act Plays, speech and drama while in high school and more recently helped coach the speech and debate team there to State. In addition, he assisted students in the FFA. For several years he was also involved in the Relay for Life in Park Rapids as well as the Polar Plunge in Bemidji. Robby became a Registered Minister with the Universal Life Church and officiated at 5 weddings for his dear friends. His Halloween costumes were legendary. He made friends with everyone he met. He outlived Betty White, and he loved Batman, pugs, David Sedaris, Amy Sedaris, Glee, Cher and Dolly Parton.

He is survived by his husband, Clarence; siblings, Paul of Osage, MN; Kathy (Ben) of Osage, MN; John of Osage, MN; Mike of Pueblo, CO; and Nickie Branham of Blue Springs, MO; and eight nieces and nephews: Dawn, Sean, Jeremy, Jason, Jacy (Jacob), Aleck, Mason, and Carson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Elizabeth; a brother, Steve; and a sister, Jeri.

He leaves with all of us his sense of humor, his courage, his indomitable spirit and so many, many memories.