Cynthia Colleen Cole was born September 11th, 1957 (And she always said, "I am not a terrorist :-)" Cyndi was born in Spencer Iowa to parents Josephine Mary (Simington) and Robert Lee Cole.

While her father was in the Army and Air Force, the family left Spencer and moved to Illinois. After Illinois, they moved to Germany- where she actually learned German from her Godmother. She also lived in Hawaii and Alaska.  Most of her life was spent in Texas, where she was on the varsity swim team and learned Spanish. She was coached by Bill Lundkowski (the only coach who had trained a gold metal Olympic winner Mexican swimmer.) Cyndi assisted Special Olympic students with basic swimming.

She graduated from John Jay High School in San Antonio- where she also completed secretarial classes. Cyndi worked at Lackland AF Base and waitressing jobs. When she moved from Texas to Arizona she was employed as an Information Specialist at the Arizona Corporation Commission.  She had many positions in her life- including producing some of the first solar panel antifreeze heating devices in solar energy's earliest times.  In Iowa, she worked at Spencer WITCO Manufacturing for nearly seven years. She was also a CNA caring for many patients in Minnesota and Iowa for over fifteen years.

While living in Ruthven, she volunteered at the library, the food pantry and Ruthven UMC where she was a member. Cyndi was a lady of great strength. She battled alcoholism and cancer with a strong will.  Cyndi enjoyed her flower gardens, the community garden, indigenous American cultures, her memories of her past Harley motorcycle days, and supporting Shayla Bee fundraisers.  She was humble and loved to give gifts to others.

Cyndi wanted to be remembered for caring about all people. She stated, "If you have five true friends in life, you are truly blessed" and she encouraged people to be true to themselves.

On March 30, 2026, a joyful gathering - "Smiles and Memories" was held at the Ruthven social center as she made choice to go on hospice and desired no funeral. Many friends gathered to celebrate Cyndi.  She was admitted to Ruthven Care Center on hospice.

Cyndi is survived by her daughter, Marilee Zafaripour-Tantry of San Fransico, CA; and a brother, David (Judy) Cole of Emmetsburg and their children and grandchildren, Kayla, Kyle, Ava and Adalynn, Austin, Maura, Caitlin and Todd, Jordan and April.

Her passing ....................Per her request, her body is cremated.

Please remember Cyndi as you enjoy tending your flowers and plants. She would like to be remembered that way.