Kathleen Cooper

Kathleen Cooper passed away Saturday January 19, 2013 at the Sheridan County Health Complex in Hoxie, KS at the age of 83. Kathleen was born February 10, 1929 in rural Sheridan County to Nigel and Lela (Hines) Walden. She lived at home on the farm with an older brother, Jewel, and later a younger sister, Joan. Kathleen attended grade school at Lone Star Elementary School, a country school. She attended High School at the Sheridan Community High School in Hoxie and graduated in the class of 1946. After graduation, Kathleen attended Nursing School in Halstead, KS. During this time, she met Ted Cooper on a trip that both of them happened to take to Kansas City at the same time. They quickly fell in love and were married on September 5, 1948 at the Presbyterian Church in Hoxie. They made their home on the family farm west of Hoxie and happily began farming for a living. To this union were born four boys, Dean, Craig, Kent, and Kevin. Kathleen worked hard raising the four boys and supporting Ted in his farming operations. After the boys were all in school, Kathleen wanted to further her nursing education and was enrolled in the first LPN class at the Colby Community Junior College. She received credit for the 2 years of nursing school and completed the requirements to receive her credentials as an LPN. She then went on to work at the Sheridan County Hospital. She was a central figure in starting up the Home Health Care program and was its director for many years. She also helped start the “Hospice of Hope” program in Sheridan County. Kathleen served on the State Board of Nursing. Through all her years of service to the residents of Sheridan County, she touched many lives and helped many people through very hard times. After 35 years, she retired in 1995. Kathleen was honored with many awards and recognitions through her years of service, but none loved her more than her family. Kathleen was very active in her church. She was a member of United Presbyterian Women, 'Circle' and Extension Homemakers Unit. She helped with summer Vacation Bible School for many years. She was active in the Boy Scouts of America serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother. Kathleen loved and raised many beautiful flowers and vegetables in her garden. She entered them in the County fair, winning numerous prize ribbons over the years. She canned juice, fruit and vegetables. Kathleen also enjoyed doing latch hook, and reading when she had a moment to sit and relax. Ted, Kathleen and the boys went to Green Mountain Falls, Colorado on vacation when they could work in a break from farming, where they enjoyed the mountains and fishing in the trout lake. In their later years, Kathleen and Ted loved to travel. They visited all 50 states, went on several cruises and finished with a wonderful trip to Australia, New Zealand and the Fiji Islands. They made lots of memories together and were blessed with 64 years of marriage. She is survived by her husband, Ted, four sons; Dean Cooper and wife Della of Omaha, Nebraska, Craig Cooper and wife Suzanne of Hoxie, Kansas, Kent Cooper of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Kevin Cooper and wife Melanie of Hoxie, KS. Twelve grandchildren: Ginna Armstrong, Bruce Cooper, Brad Cooper, David Cooper, Lucinda Schoenthaler, Andrew Cooper, Scott Cooper, Rebecca Lusk, Sonya Rooney, Jaime McMillan, Jesse Cooper, Justin Cooper, 23 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren, her sister Joan Larson and husband Harold of Hurst, Texas and her sister-in-law, Evelyn Walden of Hoxie, Kansas. Preceding Kathleen in death were her parents, Nigel and Lela Walden, her brother, Jewell Walden, and her grandson, Cody Cooper. Kathleen will be missed and always remembered by her family and many friends. Reception: First Presbyterian Church