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Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Dan Cooper > Mother, Betty 12.22.13




Betty joined the Lord and her husband on Sunday, December 22, 2013. Betty, the only child of Otto and Mary Mahlstedt, was born September 7, 1921 in Lowden, IA. She grew up in Wheatland, IA, graduating from high school in 1939. While in high school she participated in basketball, drama and music.

Betty married the love of her life, Kenneth Cooper, on November 25, 1941. Their son, Terrance Allan, was born in 1942.

While Ken was serving his country during WWII they lived in Brooksville, FL. When Betty’s father also entered the service Betty and Terry lived with Betty’s mother in Denver, CO. After Ken’s discharge from the service, they lived in DeWitt, IA where they owned and operated a grocery store.

A daughter, Judith Lynn, was born in 1947 and another son, Daniel Joseph, was born in 1949.

After selling the grocery store, Ken went to work for the Iowa Mutual Insurance Co. Being in the insurance business meant moving often. For a time the family lived in Peru, IL and Kearney, NE before moving to Alexandria, MN in 1958.

The family joined St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Betty has been a faithful member.

Betty worked for the dental office of Richard Lawler for approximately five years.

In 1974 Ken and Betty moved to Miltona to be near their daughter. They lived there until returning to Alexandria in 1997 where Betty has since resided.

Betty enjoyed watching NASCAR and the Minnesota Timber Wolves, reading, playing cards and dominoes. She especially liked playing Scrabble and Upwords with her daughter. Betty enjoyed visits from her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She liked spending the Fourth of July holidays with her family and friends at her son Terry’s home on Pocket Lake.

Betty is survived by her sons, Terry Cooper and wife, Sandy, of Lowry, MN and Dan Cooper and wife, Lynn, of Pengilly. MN; daughter, Judy Uhde and husband, Don, of Miltona; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; four step-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mona Powers of Sun City, AZ; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Kenneth Cooper.

Betty will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. May God bless her memory.