Mary Cooper

Visitation for Mary Ellen Cooper, 88, who passed away Saturday, December 12, 2015 at Mercy Hospital, Des Moines, IA will be held at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home and Crematory in Urbandale, IA on Wednesday December 16, between 4-6 p.m. A graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 17 at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines. Mary Ellen Cooper (Brady) was born on October 1, 1927 the only child of James & Hazel Brady. She grew up in Des Moines and graduated from MaryCrest College in Davenport, IA. Mary met and married her Prince Gerald Cooper in 1956. The loving couple was blessed with two children, a son, Gerald Joseph Cooper Jr and a daughter, Mary Catherine Schlemmer (Cooper). Mary continued to share her love and wisdom and remained involved in her childrens everyday lives and drama. She enjoyed her role as the matriarch of the Cooper clan. Mary Cooper was an intelligent, compassionate, loving, soft-spoken, wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Once she gave you her love, you could never lose it. She accepted everyone for who they are and treasured individual differences. She could easily find the humor in any situation. Mary spent her life taking care of others. She never complained or sung the blues. She never bragged, unless she was talking about her grandchildren. Mary is reunited with her husband, Dr. Gerald Cooper. She is survived by her children: Mary Schlemmer and her son-in-law Bernie, and son, Gerald Joseph Cooper Jr. Her Grandchildren: Willard Rathjen, Shawn Rathjen and his wife Cassandra, and Jason Richards and his wife Mindy. Her Great Grandchildren: Sydney, Brooklyn, Veronika & Rachel, Jordan, Tyler, Gracie, Brandon, Zara and Wil. Her nephew Marc Mosse and his wife Maureen and their daughter Michelle. Mary Cooper is adored and respected. She will be remembered with love and laughter.