Delores Elaine Cooper

Delores Elaine Cooper, 92, of Mason City, died on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at MercyOne Medical Center North Iowa. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at First United Methodist Church, 119 South Georgia at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Dave Peterson officiating. Visitation will be held at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Interment will be at Elmwood – St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family of Delores Cooper. Those donations in care of the family will be sent to First United Methodist Church.


Delores Elaine (Hansen) Cooper was born on May 16, 1927 to parents Merle and Dena (Dorenkamp) Hansen in rural Alexander, Iowa. She was the oldest of four children. Growing up, Delores helped on the family farm, milking cows and doing chores. She graduated from Alexander High School in 1944, where she actively participated and excelled in academics, chorus and band. After graduation, she moved with her family to Sheffield, where she worked various jobs.

Delores was united into marriage to Howard W. Cooper on November 12, 1950 in Manly, Iowa. To this union, four daughters were born: Coleen, Rhonda, Kim, and Lisa.

Delores loved volunteering within the church, community kitchen, circle, church office, and helping with rummage sales and bazaars. She was an avid quilter and baker. To the people that knew her, she was known as the “Pie Lady” because she made the greatest pies, the favorites being chocolate, peach, pecan, and pumpkin.

Delores cherished the time spent with her family. She loved nothing more than sitting around the kitchen table catching up. She adored babysitting her grandchildren, and attending their activities, throughout their lives. She enjoyed traveling and camping with her family. When Delores wasn’t with her family, she was spending time with her friends. She loved to get coffee with her Lincoln PTA girls and other close friends.

Delores is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Howard Cooper; daughters, Coleen (Jon) Lohrbach, Rhonda (Dave) Osvog, Kim (Rich) Edwards, and Lisa (Brett) Thayer; 10 grandchildren, Megann (Blayne) Brunsvold, Chelsey (Casey) Anderson, Mackenzie (Jared) Peterson, Logan Edwards, Mason Edwards, Dawson Edwards, Carter Thayer, Chandler Thayer, Cutler Thayer, and Colson Thayer; 3 great grandchildren, Gracie Anderson, Grant Anderson, and Addison Peterson; and one sister, Vicki (John) Phillips. Delores is also survived by many brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

Delores is preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Dena Hansen; one sister, Norma Deam; one brother, Lawrence Hansen; and many loved ones.