Lewis J. Cole

Lewis John Cole, 72, of New London, died on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Sunrise Village in Willmar, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. A celebration of life will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13 at The Open Door Church in Spicer. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Homes.
Lewis was born on Dec. 4, 1953, to Harold and Phyllis Tollefson Cole in Montevideo. His family lived in Montevideo before moving to Slayton and eventually New London. Lewis graduated from New London-Spicer High School in 1972.
On Aug. 4, 1979, Lewis was united in marriage to Michelle Swenson in New London. Together, they were blessed with two sons, Christopher and Joshua, and made their home in New London. Although Lewis and Michelle divorced in 2007, they remained close, maintaining a lifelong friendship.
Lewis spent his entire life in New London, where he became a familiar face throughout the community. He worked as a UPS driver for 33 years, taking great pride in the relationships he built with those along his delivery routes. For Lewis, delivering packages was about much more than getting them to their destination; it was an opportunity to visit, catch up, and make connections. He enjoyed running into familiar faces around town, and he rarely met a stranger.
Lewis was outgoing, adventurous, unconventional, and above all, funny. He was a natural storyteller who could captivate a room, drawing everyone in with his animated tales and perfectly timed humor. People would gather around to listen, never quite knowing where a story would lead, but knowing there would almost certainly be laughter by the time it ended. He had a remarkable ability to turn strangers into friends in a single conversation and made an impression on just about everyone he met. He lived life in his own way, never afraid to take the road less traveled, and brought laughter and a little adventure wherever he went.
Lewis was a longtime member of Peace Lutheran Church in New London, where he also served on the church council. Later in life, he became a member of The Open Door Church in Spicer.
Lewis had a love for the outdoors, enjoyed chopping wood, and treasured being around people. Whether sharing a story, striking up a conversation, or simply enjoying the company of others, he had a way of making people feel welcome. Above all, Lewis cherished his family, especially his grandchildren. He made it a priority to spend time with them and attend their activities and events. His grandchildren brought him immense joy and held a very special place in his heart.
Lewis faced pancreatic cancer head-on for two and a half years, meeting each day with determination and the spirit that defined him. But in true Lewis fashion, we’d like to think he took the cancer out with him. The cancer ceased to exist the moment he passed, while his laughter, stories, friendships, and unmistakable spirit remain. Cancer may have been part of his final chapter, but it will never be the story that defines him. His story lives on in the countless people he made laugh, the friendships he created, the adventures he shared, and the family who loved him.
Lewis is survived by his sons, Christopher (Kalie) Cole of Medina and Joshua Cole of New London; grandchildren, Finley, Bennett and Audrey; sister, Autumn (Phil Hyde) Cole of Ely; and former wife and lifelong friend, Michelle Cole of New London.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Phyllis; infant sister, Nancy Jean Cole; and beloved dog, Bo.