Gene R. Cooper

Gene R. Cooper, 70, of Sioux City died unexpectedly Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, at his residence.

Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with the Rev. Craig Collison officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Mr. Cooper was born Sept. 19, 1936, in Sioux City, the son of Noah "Bus" and Wilma "Tootie" (Chaussee) Cooper. He attended Sacred Heart School. He served his country in the National Guard.

He married Rita O'Connor on Sept. 2, 1961, in Elk Point, S.D. He worked as a sign worker for Kern Advertising.

He enjoyed fishing, pheasant hunting, camping, the outdoors, listening to Swap Shop and spending time with his grandkids.

He is survived by his wife, Rita Cooper of Sioux City; three sons, Dana (Erica) Cooper of Long Prairie, Minn., Rodney Cooper of Sioux City and Kelvin (Cassandra) Cooper of Sioux City; a daughter, Jean Cooper of Sioux City; a brother, Mike Cooper and Mary Leibrich of North Sioux City; a brother-in-law, Lloyd Lee Sr. of South Sioux City; a sister, Judy (Dan) Trudell of Elk Point, S.D.; and 10 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Joan Lee; and a granddaughter, Courtney.