Cole William Svartoien

Cole Svartoien, 36, of Freeman passed away on Feb. 6th at the Freeman Hospital. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday Feb. 12th at 2 pm at the Salem Free Lutheran Church of rural Freeman. Vistation will be Friday Feb. 11th from 5-7pm at the Walter Funeral Home in Freeman.

Cole William Svartoien was born on January 4, 1986 to Roland and Jean (Zaun) Svartoien.  Upon his birth Cole received his first award, “First Baby of the Year” at Freeman Community Hospital in Freeman, SD. 

Cole began his Christian walk with the Lord upon his Baptism and continued  with his Confirmation of his faith at Salem Free Lutheran Church of rural  Freeman, SD.  Cole remained a faithful member and served as a deacon, usher and enjoyed working with the music ministry at church.    

Cole attended Freeman Public School and graduated from High School in May 2004. 

Cole was blessed with the birth of his daughter on June 12, 2007, Onyx Rae. Cole spent countless hours caring for and entertaining Onyx and she brought  him the greatest joy.  An incredible memory for Cole and Onyx happened in December 2018.  Make A Wish granted Onyx a trip to Disney World to meet her beloved Minnie.   

Cole was gifted with the knowledge of how to use and navigate electronics and computers.  He solved many problems for others in the technology field. Cole loved anything with wheels, the faster the better! Cole had an extreme love of combining and driving truck on the yearly harvest run, which allowed him to spend countless hours with his Dad.  The many years of going on the harvest run from Oklahoma to the Canadian border yielded many lifelong friendships for Cole and Roland and their entire family. 

Close to Cole’s heart was his involvement and interest in their family business ventures.  He was very instrumental with the behind the scenes operations and technology of Meridian Corner.  Meridian Corner was very near and dear to him and he always wanted customers to have a good time with family and friends and to enjoy their time at Meridian Corner. 

Cole was dealt many obstacles and health issues in his life.  He approached each challenge with positivity and hope. Cole celebrated life with a cheerful and respectful demeanor.  He was a kind and gentle soul.  His heart of gold impacted many lives.  He always wanted to make sure others smiled before he did.  Cole was a kid at heart and he especially enjoyed spending time with Onyx and his nieces and nephews, who he loved beyond measure.  The love between them was mutual and he brought many smiles, joys and laughter into their lives. 

Cole passed from this earthly life to his Heavenly home unexpectedly on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at Freeman Regional Health Services. 

Cherishing the memories of his life are his daughter, Onyx, his parents Roland and Jean, his brother Caleb (Danielle) Svartoien, his sister Callie (Trent) Haase, nieces Gabrielle Svartoien, Chesney Haase and Blair Haase; nephews Thomas Svartoien and Knox Svartoien, many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. 

Cole was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Melvin and Florence Zaun, his paternal grandparents Paul and Marceen Svartoien, his aunt Julie Svartoien Karlsen, his uncle Dale Severson, and a great friend Stan Tschetter. 

Cole had a huge heart and we wish more of the world could have seen it, but we are grateful we did.  Everyone in heaven gets to enjoy that big heart now.