Marilee Bengta Cole of Oakdale and formerly of Sonora passed away June 4, 2019 in Hughson, California of a stroke. Marilee was born in Kansas, September 22, 1934 and graduated from Sonora High School in 1952. Following high school graduation she graduated from Armstrong College as an executive secretary. Marilee was a former manager of Oakdale Chamber of Commerce. There were many achievements by Marilee: Instrumental in getting a new hospital for Oakdale, bringing new Physicians, working to get the first Hershey Chocolate Festival. Marilee was retired from Hershey Chocolate, instrumental in starting the Oakdale Cowboy Museum.
Marilee and Norm were avid travelers and enjoyed RV camping, covering most of the western US, Canada and Mexico. Marilee is survived by Norman Cole, Sr., her husband of 29 years, her son Brandon and Valerie Perry, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren and one son, Shawn Perry who preceded her in death from her first marriage, and sister Shirley Davis and brother-in-law Skip Davis of Columbia, California.
Graveside services were held at Mountain Shadow Cemetery, Sonora, California.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

June 12, 2019