Karen Mae Cooper

Karen Mae (Harms) Cooper has gone to be with her husband James Cooper and her daughter Lori (Cooper) Newlin in heaven on September 3, 2019. Karen was born on November 9, 1941, to Martin and Thelma Harms in Redfield, South Dakota.

She attended school in a one-room country school through eighth grade and graduated from Redfield High School in 1959. She was active in 4-H and a farm girl at heart. She was the oldest of four children: sister, Devonna (Milton) Newman of Mina Lake, South Dakota, brother, Doyle (Mickey) Harms of Redfield and sister, Annabel Lange of Andover, Minnesota.

She married Jim Cooper on October 30, 1960. They moved to Sundance, Wyoming, in 1963. They had four children, Monica Cooper Switzer (Sky Anderson), Veronica Cooper Widoss (John) and Jay Cooper (Gloria); grandchildren: Ryan Newlin, Josh Canfield (Brittany), Denise Canfield Ebzery (Matt), Kaci Switzer Jansma (Seth), Tate Switzer (Dawn), Trey Switzer (Danae), Karleen Cooper and Chrystal Cooper Rodriguez (Collin); great grandchildren, Koen and Tegan Switzer, Seeli Rae Jansma, Evelyn Ebzery and Carter Ebzery, McKinley Canfield and Baby Boy Canfield.

Christmas was Karen’s favorite time of year with handmade candies and Christmas Eve buffet fit for THE KING! She won the Christmas Town Lighting several years, adding one more piece for Jay to put up each year. Halloween was another special time of year when she made hundreds of homemade treats and sometimes asked for tricks for the treats.

Karen was a candy striper in high school and was a CNA in Sundance for a couple of years. She was the town’s seamstress, sewing more than a few prom dresses, wedding dresses and alterations. She also did ironing and provided day care for 43 years, helping to raise a lot of kids in this small town.

She was the town baker of decorated cakes, candies and cookies. She was the butcher of all Jim’s hunting meat. Karen was not a real community involved person; instead she followed her kids and grandkids to ball games and all school activities. She was “Grandma” to many kids she babysat. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and baking.

The family appreciates Arna and Vernon Montgomery and families, and Jeff, Darice and Lane Hodge for helping look after Karen and supporting her family.

In lieu of flowers please send any donations to the Crook County Senior Service, PO Box 648, Sundance, WY 82729 and Sundance Assisted Living.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held a later date this fall.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance. Online condolences may be written at http://www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.