Joyce "Pat" Cooper

Joyce "Pat" Cooper, 76, 2114 Pine Tree Ct., Clear Lake, died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2007 at her home with her family. A Celebration of Life Memorial service was held Saturday, Feb. 3, at the First Congregational Church, Clear Lake, with Waldorf College Chaplin Pastor Charlene Cox officiating. Inurnment will be at the Mt. Vernon Township Cemetery in rural Burchinal, Iowa at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Joyce P. Cooper Memorial Fund.
Joyce Joan Pierce was born in Primghar, Iowa on Oct 10, 1930 to Bert N. and Theresa (deVries) Pierce. She entered kindergarten in Sheldon, Iowa, attended East High in Sioux City, Iowa through her junior year, then graduated from Primghar High School as salutatorian in 1948. She attended Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, Iowa and majored in physical education with a minor in science.
She was married to Raymond H. Cooper, also of Primghar. To this union four children were born: Cathy Sharon, Dennis Ray, Deborah Lynn, and Patricia Jo.
The family moved to rural Clear Lake in 1962 where they began farming. Pat began her career as a director of health and physical education at the YWCA. During her time at the YWCA she started a swim program for developmentally disabled children from the old Wilson School. She and her committee also began a swim team program that combined with the YMCA and became the Mason City Swim Club.
In 1984 she became a partner in a business venture with Sue Pleggenkuhle. They opened a fabric shop, "Snip and Stitch" on Main Street in Clear Lake. In later years she worked at Sperry, Unisys, and also at Stoyles Printing Company. She retired permanently in 2001.
"Grandma Pat" as she was known by many, enjoyed following all of her grandchildren's activities. She loved reading, crafting, quilting, gardening, and decorating her home for various holidays. Other interests included committee work for the Clear Lake Swimming Pool, North Central Gardens, and RSVP of North Iowa. Pat was a dedicated "Reading Buddy" for RSVP at Clear Creek Elementary School. This program was near and dear to her heart! She was a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi-Omnicron Master Chapter. She was a "Red Hat Lady with attitude!" and enjoyed Wednesday morning coffee with the ladies.
Her children, their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the most important thing in her whole life and she loved them more than anything else. Family was her whole life.
Pat is surrvived by her children, Cathy (Curt) Krieger, Mason City, Dennis (Anne) Cooper, Clear Lake, Deborah (Paul Hudson) Cooper, Ames, Iowa and Patricia (Steve) Lovik, Forest City, Iowa; grandchildren, Cory Krieger and Calynn Krieger, Paul (Kellie) Cooper and Allison (Jon) Klaassen, Nicole (Jason Blaser) Lovik-Blaser and Mallory Lovik, and Evan Hudson and Tess Hudson; great-grandchildren, Ashlin and Olivia Cooper, Sam Klaassen, and Treyton Blaser.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.