Lulu Marjorie (Topliss) Cole
Marriages
Donald H (Toby) Cole - October 15, 1946
married in Montrose, Colorado
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6A - April 5, 2011
Lulu Marjorie “Marge†Topliss
Cole was born in Cimarron, Colorado,
on February 6, 1919, and
died on April 2, 2011, at the San
Juan Living Center, Montrose, at
the age of 92.
Her parents, Thomas Topliss and
Lulu Snyder Topliss, were early
ranchers in the Little Cimarron
Valley. The pioneering spirit she
inherited from her parents followed
her throughout life and
contributed to her dynamic personality.
She was a kind, loving,
and thoughtful person, always
willing to assist those in need,
plus she had a keen sense of humor
and a remarkable memory.
Marge's earliest years were spent
on the family ranch in Cimarron
where she developed strong bonds
with her siblings, Glenn, Thomas
Jr., Elmer, Madelyn, Dale, and Dorothy. This segment was cut short
by the murder of her father on Fitzpatric Mesa in 1924, precipitated
by a land dispute. This tragic loss created many hardships for the
family, which eventually led to the sale of the family ranch and relocation
to Montrose. The remainder of Marge's childhood and adolescence
was spent in Montrose, where she graduated from high
school in 1937. During WWII she was employed as a telephone operator
in Montrose; this service gave her immense pride. Following
the war, she met Donald H. (Toby) Cole and they married in Montrose
on October 15, 1946. For the next 45 years she resided in
Delta, where her only child was born in 1948. During this period,
Marge worked in sales, clerical, and secretarial jobs, and at the family
business, Toby's Auto Sales. Following Toby's death in 1986,
Marge eventually retired and returned to Montrose in 1991, where
she resided at Anciano Tower. During retirement, she was active in
the Montrose County Historical Society and the Retired and Senior
Volunteer Society (RSVP).
She is survived by son, Rex D. Cole of Grand Junction, and granddaughter,
B. Erin Cole of Denver; numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters.
Marge was the last survivor of a remarkable western Colorado family.
Her passing leaves a significant void and she will be truly
missed. Additional insight into Marge's early life in Cimarron and
Montrose has been documented by a series of three articles in the
Montrose Daily Press authored by Marilyn Cox in 1998.
Per her request, no services are planned. Burial will be at Grand
View Cemetery in Montrose. A remembrance will be held in Cimarron
at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the Montrose
County Historical Society, in memory of Marjorie Cole, P.O.
Box 1882, Montrose, CO 81402. Arrangements are under the direction
of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, CO.
