In Memory of Leo M. Cooper

Leo M. Cooper, age 86, of Odebolt, Iowa passed away on Sunday, February 01, 2015, surrounded by his loved ones at his residence.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 6, 2015 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Rev. Richard A. Salcido will officiate. Burial will be in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa with Military Rites by Roose Post No. 313 of the American Legion of Odebolt, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 5, 2015 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa. The Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com 

Leo Merlin Cooper was born in Moorehead, Iowa, on February 8, 1928 to Roy B. and Mary Jane (Bartholomew) Cooper.

Leo grew up on a farm south of Ute, Iowa. He attended Hartigan Country School. After school Leo worked on the farm before enlisting in to the Army in 1953. Leo served overseas in Korea. When he returned home from the service he went back to working on the farm.

Leo went to work at the Soldier, Iowa meat locker. He then began working at Kalin’s grocery store in the meat department, where he worked for many years, as it continued to change names and owners. Leo met the love of his life Janice Schwaller and the two were united into marriage on May 25, 1959 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Leo and Janice where blessed with three children; Betty Jean, Gary Leo, and Mary Lynn.

Leo worked for the local meat locker in Odebolt, and joined the United States Post Office in 1973 as a clerk and then later as an OIC. He retired from the Post Office in 1992, but continued with the locker until 2007.

In 1996 Leo & Janice became parents again to their granddaughter Shayna. Their daughter and Shayna’s mother Mary, lost her courageous fight with cancer. They have raised her into the wonderful women she is today.

You might remember Leo as your local postman, auctioneer, meat man and much more. He was a kind hearted, hardworking, honest family man.

Leo enjoyed many things in life. He liked going to auctions and auctioneering, collecting antiques, coins, gardening, taking care of his lawn,  loved a good walk, and took great pride in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Janice Cooper of Odebolt, Iowa; daughter, Betty Zobel of Ida Grove, Iowa; Son, Gary Cooper of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Jared (Angela) Phillips-Zobel of Rapid City, South Dakota; Christie (Joshua) Van Houten of Ida Grove, Iowa; Joseph Cooper of Houston, Texas, Kristen Cooper of Austin, Texas, Shayna Cooper (Cameron White) of Monticello, Iowa; great grandchildren, Sophia, Wyatt, Trentin, and Eleanor; Sisters, Edith Johnson of Hawesville, Kentucky; Norma (Dick) Larsen of Omaha, Nebraska, Donna (Norris) Olsen of Silver Springs, Nevada, and many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Mary Cooper; Granddaughter, Chyann Cooper; sister, Leona Johnson; brothers, Wade Cooper; Glen Cooper and  infant brother Garrold Cooper.