Frieda Cooper

Frieda Cooper, 95, of Mason City, died Saturday, April 5, 2008, at the Good Shepherd Health Center. 
 
Frieda Marie Johannsen Cooper was born on December 6, 1912 to J. Fred C. and Ida (Engelman) Johannsen.  She was born and lived all of her life in Mason City where she graduated from high school.  She spent the next ten years working for Kresges Dollar Store.  In 1942, she married Vatere James (VJ) Cooper.  After her three daughters were older, Frieda worked for Eastons and J.C. Penney.  She spent the next twenty-three years working for Sears, primarily in the catalog department, where she retired in 1978. 
 
Frieda was active in the First Baptist Church where she held several offices including President of the Womens Society for two years.  She was a member of Eastern Star where she held several offices.  She also held a membership in the Royal Neighbors Lodge.  After retirement, Frieda and VJ did a lot of RSVP work.  Volunteering at the public library and working at the voting centers during elections were activities she thoroughly enjoyed.  Frieda traveled several times to the East Coast. 
 
At home, she loved baking, canning, and working outside where she attended a small flower garden.  In her later years she took up quilting and other needlework.  One of her goals was making quilts for each of her grandchildren. 
 
Frieda spent her final years at Corner Stone Assisted Living and the Good Shepherd Health Center.  She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two brothers, Clifford and Karl Johannsen; and two sisters, Pearl Anderson and Ruby Hodgin.  She is survived by one sister, Alta Lynch, of Grants Pass, OR; twin daughters, Janice Ann Garcia of Mason City and Johanna Anderson (Gordon) of Osage; and daughter Maureen Galloway (Ralph) of Burlington, IA; five grandchildren, Angela Cordel, Autumn Halterman, Judd Galloway, Dr. Emily Galloway, and Kelly Nichols; and six great grandchildren.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorials be directed to the Mason City Public Library, First Baptist Church (mission work) or KCMR. 
 
A memorial service honoring Friedas life will be held at a later date.  Inurnment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials:
Mason City Public Library, First Baptist Church (Mission Work), or KCMR

Cemetery:
Memorial Park Cemetery

Visitation:
There will be no visitation

Service:
A memorial service will be held at a later date.