Obituary for Margaret Elaine Cooper Margaret Elaine Cooper Elaine Cooper, 77, passed away peacefully at home after facing cancer head-on with grace, determination and the utmost dignity during the past five years. Born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, she was the daughter of Volga Germans, George Lehr and Anna Margaret Zitterkopf, who immigrated as children from Russia in the early 1900’s with their family members. George and Anna Margaret worked hard to provide a comfortable, yet simple lifestyle for their three children in Nebraska, not knowing one day that their youngest daughter Elaine would have the opportunity to travel the world, build friendships with national and foreign dignitaries and even dance with the President of the United States ~ truly exceeding their expectations of living the American dream.
Elaine married her childhood sweetheart, Steve Cooper, who was serving our Country with the U.S. Army assigned to the NSA working with Sunni Muslims in Turkey. Elaine and Steve started their journey as husband and wife in Mineral Wells, Texas and eventually settled in Denver, Colorado, where they started their family and first welcomed Stephanie, followed by Brenda who was with them for only 4 days, a few years later Amy was born completing the circle of what was often referred to as “the four of us”. They raised their family in Green Mountain, Colorado, where Elaine volunteered as a Girl Scout leader and worked as a teacher’s aide at the local elementary school less than a block away.
Elaine was skilled with cooking, gardening and entertaining. They traveled often to visit family, went on fabulous camping trips throughout Colorado and explored much of the Western U.S. and Canada. Life quickly changed in the late 1970’s, Steve was appointed by the President of the United States to work on a special project in Washington D.C. During Christmas break of 1979, the family moved to the suburbs of D.C. where Elaine immediately embraced her new lifestyle in Virginia where she was able to fulfill her thirst for knowledge, taking advantage of the rich history, instilling her passion for gardening and taking a keen interest in creating her own home accessories which she commissioned as special orders for clients.
Elaine and Steve appreciated all of the opportunities Washington D.C. provided and enjoyed traveling around the world together and with friends during the 22 years they lived there. Elaine and Steve returned to Colorado to enjoy their retirement years with their two daughters, eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren with the joyful anticipation of adding a 4th great grandchild this fall. Established in a new community, Elaine took a new interest in quilting and volunteered her time making quilts for “ABC Quilts of Colorado” benefiting children in situations of social services, women’s safe houses, veteran family shelters and emergency rooms.
Elaine lived life to its fullest, she was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, always putting her family first. Elaine was intertwined by Steve, Stephanie and Amy one last time as “the four of us” before starting her new journey. Elaine will be greatly missed, yet we find deep comfort knowing she is no longer in pain and able to finally hold her infant daughter Brenda in her arms for the first time.
A celebration of life service will be planned later this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family would like for donations to be made to your local food bank, ABC Quilts of Colorado or your local Hospice Care center in honor of Elaine Cooper. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Margaret Elaine Cooper please visit our Sympathy Store.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
