Aletha Jean Cooper, known to all as Jean, passed away July 31, 2016, at the age of 89, in her home at Brookdale Senior Living in Rockford, Illinois.
Jean was born October 12, 1926, in Russell, Iowa to Carl Thomas Goltry and Stella Mae (Moore) Goltry. She grew up on the Goltry Century Farm just east of Russell, Iowa. She spent a lot of time helping her mother Stella in the kitchen on the farm and helping keep her brother and cousins in line. She graduated from Russell High School in 1944.
Jean was a school teacher for over 40 years. She was very passionate about teaching and loved to be around kids. She had her first teaching assignment at Victory country school in Russell, Iowa. She taught at a few other country schools in rural southern Iowa. In fact, school is where she met and then married the love of her life, James “Jim” Cooper on May 28, 1949. They were blessed to celebrate over 64 years together. After they were married, Jean attended Drake University during the summers to obtain her teaching degree and then began teaching in public school. In the fall of 1954 her son James Thomas was born.
Her longest teaching post was at Van Allen Elementary in Chariton, Iowa, where she taught 3rd and 5th grades from 1965 to 1987. In 1987 she retired from teaching and went to work with her husband at the Iowa State House of Representatives in Des Moines, Iowa while he was serving as Representative for District 67. Jean was a member of the Retired Teachers Association, Order of the Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary since 1953, and Russell Faith United Methodist Church.
Jim and Jean were avid campers. They joined the Red Haw Campers in 1980 and enjoyed many camping trips including all the good times they had spent camping and working at the Iowa State Fair. They also enjoyed travelling and spent many winters in Apache Junction, Arizona.
Survived by daughter-in-law Carolyn Komar, granddaughter Evin (Charles) Thomas, great grandchildren Taya Thomas, Rahmel Thomas and Mason Thomas, sisters-in-law Bonnie Gerry, Mary Jo Polo and Eva Cooper; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, husband James W. Cooper, son James Thomas Cooper, brother Duane M. Goltry, infant brother Harold D. Goltry; as well as a host of in-laws, cousins, aunts and uncles.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Russell Faith United Methodist Church or Russell (Iowa) Historical Society in Russell, Iowa.
The family would like to thank all the medical professionals and staff at Brookdale Senior Living and with Heartland Hospice in Rockford, Illinois who cared for Jean and supported her family during her passing. A very special thank you to Jean’s nieces Lisa Goltry Konig and Linda Goltry Secor for all the time spent visiting her in Rockford, Illinois and especially coming out to be with us during her last days.
Burial
Mon., Aug. 08, 2016
Location: Russell Cemetery
Funeral Service
10:30 AM Mon., Aug. 08, 2016
Location: Fielding Funeral Home
