Dorothea "Nana" Cole-Love

Dorothea Guggenbichler Cole-Love was born on February 20, 1933, in St. Veit, Austria, to the parentage of Joseph and Katharina Guggenbichler. Surrounded by her family, she transitioned to eternity on December 21, 2017, in Garland, Texas.

Dorothea was raised in Salsburg, Austria, and spent all of her years there until 1955 when she moved to the United States with her former husband and children. Dorothea pursued a career in food service and became an awesome civilian chef at the United States Army Base in Fort Sill – Lawton, Oklahoma. After almost 50 years, she retired. Dorothea continued catering until she was 75 years of age.

Affectionately regarded as “Nana” by her family and friends, Dorothea appreciated many hobbies and interests. She took great delight in cooking and catering for her family and friends. She showed her love through her cooking. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and their friends were privileged to their own birthday cakes and specialty dishes. She also enjoyed decorating and creating festive atmospheres for holidays; she was featured in the Lawton Morning News for “Tasty Duty”, an honor she received for Fort Sill’s mess hall being voted the best decorated dining facility. Dorothea really enjoyed sewing…hats, mittens, scarves, dresses, and all attire for her children and grandchildren. The epitome of a nurturing wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she most enjoyed spending time with her family.

Dorothea was predeceased by her parents; one sister; and her daughter, Barbara Cole Carson. Those left to cherish precious memories include her husband, Alvin L. Love; children: Wilbur J. Cole, Jr. (Linda), Elfrieda E. Cole, Norbert M. Cole, and Thilo T. Cole (Karol); grandchildren: Jesse Murphy, Dorothea D. Cole, Lana Murphy, Thilo Cole, Jr., Dezmond Cole, Nathan Cole, and Thilo Cole; great-grandson who she helped raise, Isaiah T. Cole; several other great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; nine siblings; and a host of other relatives and friends.  

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