In Memory of Janice Ann Mary Cooper

Janice Ann Mary Cooper, age 86, of Holstein, Iowa (formerly of Odebolt, Iowa) passed away on Saturday, April 8, 2023, surrounded by her family and caregivers at the Holstein Senior Assisted Living of Holstein, Iowa.

Private graveside services were held at the Ida Grove Cemetery with Father Richard D. Ball officiating.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Homes of Ida Grove and Odebolt, Iowa, were in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Janice Ann Mary Cooper, born to Joseph Alfred and Margaret Catherine (Drilling) Schwaller, was welcomed into this world on December 15, 1936, in Iowa City, Iowa. She grew up around Early, Lake View, and Sac City, Iowa, where she also attended country school. A highlight of her youth was attending the dime picture shows with her mother after supper on Sunday evenings. She was employed as a CNA in the OB Department at the Loring Hospital of Sac City. 

She met the love of her life, Leo Cooper, at a New Year’s Eve dance. The couple was later united in marriage at the Saint Martin Catholic Church of Odebolt, Iowa, on May 25, 1959. Janice and Leo were blessed with three children: Betty Jean, Gary Leo, and Mary Lynn. The family made their forever home in Odebolt, Iowa, where Janice enjoyed being a homemaker and raising her family along with supporting her husband in every aspect of life, which included operating Coops Auction Company. Throughout her life, she loved to host the holidays, especially Christmas, where the family played Bingo (“I-2-2”). Her grandchildren Jared and Christie have carried on this tradition with their families. 

In 1996, Leo and Janice became parents again when their daughter, Mary, lost her courageous fight with cancer and their granddaughter, Shayna, came to live with them. 

Janice enjoyed her time going to casinos, attending auctions, collecting Cabbage Patch Kids, ruby red glass and cast glass birds. Her current love was following her great grandchildren Wyatt and Sophia’s activities. She looked forward to her Sunday night phone calls with her son Gary to discuss American Idol. Janice enjoyed Sunday drives to Storm Lake, Iowa, with Christie, heated checker games with Wyatt, completing crossword puzzles with Sophia, and jigsaw puzzles with Jared and Angela among so many other experiences with her family. 

In October 2017, Janice moved to the Holstein Senior Assisted Living where the loving caring staff became an extension of her family.   

Janice is survived by her son Gary Cooper of Houston, TX; grandson Jared (Angela) Phillips Zobel of Sioux City, IA; granddaughter Christie (Joshua) Van Houten of Ida Grove, IA; grandson Joseph “Joey” (Emily) Cooper of Lexington, KY; granddaughter Kristin Cooper of Marble Falls, TX; granddaughter Shayna Cooper of Wisconsin; great grandchildren Sophia, Wyatt, Trenton, Elenore, and Lyla Jean; honorary family: Amanda, Anthony “Tony”, and Dominic “Dom” Smith, and Holly Zobel; extended family and friends. 

Janice was preceded in death by her husband Leo Cooper; daughters Betty Zobel and Mary Cooper; granddaughter Chyann Cooper; siblings Joseph “Joey” Jr., Francis, Marcella, Richard “Dick”, Lorraine, Lenus, Edward “Eddy,” Dorothy Helen (in infancy), and Janet.