"So sorry to hear about your loss. I graduated with your Mom and then worked at Sylvania too. We were good friends in school. This is a beautiful picture of her! "
In loving memory of
Virginia Marie Cooper
May 7, 1939 - June 6, 2019
Virginia Marie Cooper, 80, of Burlington died Thursday, June 6, 2019 at the Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Burlington.
Born May 7, 1939 in Fairfield, Iowa she was the daughter of Edison Haley Leu and Lola Mae Leu. She married Gary Thad Cooper on December 8, 1957 in Pleasant Lawn, Iowa. He died November 19, 1999.
Virginia was a 1957 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. She worked as a nanny throughout high school. She then worked for Sylvania, IRC/TRW and Craftsman Press.
Her hobbies included cooking, painting, grandkids, doing for others, time spent with her family and morning coffees. She was a puzzle wizard and she loved to dance. She especially enjoyed time spent with her special friends that visited and brought sunshine to her day.
Survivors include her three children; Karen (Terry) Dannebring of Anchorage, Alaska, Steven Cooper of Tampa, Florida and Scott Cooper of Liberty, Missouri; two grandchildren, Zachariah (Amanda) Dannebring and Whitney (Micah) Bonin; six great grandchildren, Alexandra, Sophia and Benjamin Dannenbring and Ethan Samples, Caleb and Titan Bonin; five siblings, Mary Jo (Norbert) Gerleman, Larry (Yvonne) Leu, Ronald (Nancy) Leu, Connie (Don) Danner and Terry (Carol) Leu; brother and sisters in law, Dolores Wright, Terrance Cooper, Larry Cooper, Marilyn Beik, Randell Cooper and Melodee Kennedy.
Preceded in death by her sister Norma Stogdill, brother Raymond Leu, sister in laws Judith Gabriel, Marla Starman, Cheryl Clouse and Melissa Hoembrecker.
Lastly and most importantly, she cherished her 60 plus year friendship with her dearest friend Dixie Durbala as they raised their families together.
The funeral service for Mrs. Cooper will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 11th at Lunning Chapel. The Rev. Dean Graber will officiate. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for the Burlington Public School Lunch program to benefit accounts for needy children or the Burlington Public Library Summer Reading Program.
Tributes
"Dear Karen, Steven and Scott, I am so sorry to hear of Virginia's passing, and Gary too for that matter, I didn't know. I have fond memories of playing with the Cooper kids on Short St. When i stayed at Aunt Dee and Uncle Weldon's house, your next door neighbors. Building playhouses out of boxes from the appliance store up the alley. Riding bikes, that buckeye tree we gathered nuts from, your sandbox and swingset in the backyard. Your cockerspaniel, having lunch or dinner with you kids. Karen's birthday slumber party. Virginia doing Karen's and my hair in the bath room. Going to Dixies house with y'all. Your Dad liked to watch Gomer Pyle. Many fond memories of the family. So sorry to hear about your loss. Your Mom was very kind to me, she will be missed. Just wanted you to know you're all in my thoughts. Sincerely, Karen Gray"