sota receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1946. Her clinical experience took place at St. Mary's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN.
While at St. Catherine she was elected to the National Social Science Society, Pi Gamma Mu, and Who's Who In America Universities and Colleges.
Ruth was employed at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Mason City beginning in November of 1946 where she worked in nursing administration and education for fifteen years.
On June 1, 1948, Ruth was married to Charles Robert "Bob" Cooper at Holy Family Catholic Church.
After her children began school she managed the Cooper Cap & Gown Company and continued working there until 2010.
Ruth was active in Holy Family Catholic Church and served on the Holy Family School Board during the formation of Central Catholic Elementary School. She was also a member of the Newman Auxiliary Board. A devout member of Holy Family all of her life, she attended daily Mass on regular basis. She was an active member of the Newman Prayer Group for many years, as well as a teacher of adult religious education and high school CCD.
She lived at the family home at 203 10th NW, for forty-nine years before moving to the Manor in 2004. She moved to the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in July of 2016.
Ruth enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, trips to the Lower Whitefish Lake in Minnesota, jigsaw puzzles, reading and listening to music, especially jazz and classical.
Ruth is survived by her five children and their families, Chuck (Jenny) Cooper, of Mason City, Mike (Rosalie) Cooper, of Milwaukee, WI, Cathy (Mike) Murphy, of Caseyville, IL, Mary (Don) Harms, of Mason City, and Lisa (Mark) Reuvers, of Faribault, MN; grandchildren, Nick and Tim (Rebecca) Cooper, Mary, Claire and Elizabeth Cooper, Aaron Tidball and Jon (Jenna) Tidball, Joe and Rob Gilmore, Marie (Matt) Ott and Christine (Bill) Struecker; great-grandchildren, Grace and Emily Ott, Max Struecker, and his future brother, and Ethan Tidball; brother, Mead Cook and family from the Omaha, NE area and her dear friend, Rosa Fleming, of Mason City.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Esther Cook; husband, Bob; two sisters-in-law, Ginny and Val Cook.
The family would like to express gratitude to the Good Shepherd Health Care Center for their friendship and loving care.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ruth Mead Cooper please visit our Sympathy Store.
To read the full obituary, please click here: http://www.colonialchapels.com/obituaries/Ruth-Cooper-9/