Ethelyn Ann (Tracy) COOPER

TRACY, COOPER, KENDALL, TRASTER, ROSENTHAL, WARNKEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:42

February 10, 1924 ----- July 27, 2018

Lynn (Ethelyn) Ann Tracy Cooper passed away on July 27 in Cincinnati, Ohio after a long and beautiful life, for which she constantly expressed gratitude. All who knew Lynn found her to be kind, funny, warm, charming, elegant and vivacious. She will be greatly missed.

Lynn was born on February 10th, 1924 in Sisseton, South Dakota to Garnet and Gerald Tracy. Her father, having his degree in animal husbandry from Iowa State University, started a hatchery and creamery in South Dakota, where the family prospered. After the stock market crash of 1929, Lynn's father was defrauded by his bank and lost his business so the family returned to their town of origin, Belmond, Iowa, to start again. Though an only child, Lynn grew up surrounded by a large family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Lynn's mother, Garnet (Tracy) Kendall, who lived in Indianola, for many years, managed cafes and hotels throughout the Great Depression and, though they were difficult years, Lynn had a good education, a safe place to live and lovely clothing for dances and concerts.

Lynn graduated from Mason City High School where she enjoyed playing the cello in various ensembles. She then went on to Drake University where she met her beloved husband, James W. Cooper, who flirted mercilessly with her during a reportedly uninspiring history class.

While Jim was deployed in World War II, Lynn worked at Bankers Life Insurance Co. in Des Moines and also modeled for Younkers department store and Cownie Furs. While Jim was on leave in Washington state, after his ship, the USS Saratoga, had been struck by the Japanese forces, he wrote Lynn a five-page letter, asking her to come by train to Kansas City and marry him. That she did on April 18, 1945.

After the war, the couple lived in Pella, Iowa, and Jim finished his degree at Central College. During this time, their only child, daughter Patricia, was born. Many happy years followed, living in Pleasantville and Indianola, Iowa, Elgin, Illinois, and Hannibal, Missouri. Lynn worked as a secretary at Central College and St. Edwards Catholic High School (suburban Chicago) for years before becoming Jim's executive assistant when he left education to work for the Xerox Corporations textbook division.

A proud member of the international sisterhood of PEO for over forty-four years, Lynn worked to further the educational opportunities of young women. She also enjoyed playing bridge, golfing, and traveling. Known for her hospitality, Lynn hosted coffee hours, neighborhood parties and family gatherings of all sorts. She would put out an incredible spread, make sure everyone had a stiff cocktail, then proceed to get a good sing-along going at her organ!

In her later years, she moved to Ohio and enjoyed boat rides at her daughter and son-in-laws lake home and cookouts on their patio. After her daughter Patsy's death, she moved to Cincinnati to be with her granddaughter, and became a favorite resident at her senior living community, relishing every event, from Elvis impersonators to balloon volleyball. She was always the belle of the ball, quick to smile, grab someones hand, pay a compliment, or begin some sort of merriment.

Her granddaughter, grandson-in-law and great-granddaughters visited often and were blessed to have many laughs together sitting out on her beautiful porch or convening in her cozy room with her great-granddog, Rafa, ensconced on her lap.

Lynn was always brimming with laughter, projects, plans and ideas. Throughout her life she worked hard, cherished her family and community and gave freely of her time. May we all take solace in knowing that her departure marks the end of a life filled with meaning and love.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jim Cooper and daughter Patricia Traster. She is survived by her son-in-law, Vernon Traster, grandson Marshall Traster, granddaughter Andrea (Rosenthal) Warnken, grandson-in-law Troy Warnken, great-granddaughters Eva and Mae Rosenthal, and many extended family members in North Carolina, Iowa, Colorado, and Hong Kong.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30am on October 20th, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church in Indianola. Gifts for a new children's garden in Buxton Park in honor of Lynn and Jim Cooper may be made to Indianola Parks and Recreation, 2204 W. 2nd Ave., Indianola, Iowa.

Pella Chronicle --- Pella, Iowa
October 15, 2018