Verla Ward Cooper's Obituary
Verla “Toppy” Ward Cooper
10.29.1920 - 08.24.2018
Verla Cooper passed away Friday, August 24, 2018 in Sandy, Utah, after a long and fruitful life. She died from complications of being nearly 98 years old! She had her sharp mind and her funny wit til the very end. We miss her, we love her, we celebrate her beauty of face and soul, her gentle kindness and the legacy of love she left to her family. All who knew her were touched by her sweet, positive attitude. She adamantly and defiantly wore her “rose-colored glasses” always! She was born October 29th, 1920 to loving parents, Silas Whitney Ward and Mabel Wilmerth Ward, at the Levi Ranch in Union, Oregon. She was the oldest of three girls and the close relationship they have shared through the last nearly 100 years has been an exemplary example of enduring, loyal, loving Sisterhood!
While growing up, Verla moved 14 times, traveling back and forth from Oregon to California. She graduated from Union High School in 1939. During her school years, she acquired the nickname “Toppy”. She preferred this nickname over her own and is still “Toppy” and “Aunt Toppy” to many, many loved ones.
She met and fell in love with William Hyrum Cooper in 1940 while she was waitressing at Shank’s cafe in Union, Oregon. They married on October 08, 1942 in his mother’s home at the Woodruff Ranch, also in Union. On the same date, 17 years and 6 children later, they were sealed as a family for all time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mother and Dad adored each other and affectionately called each other endearments, “Chum” and “Skonky” and “Lil Weed” being the favorite regulars. They even had car license plates engraved with Chum I and Chum II. As grandchildren appeared in her life she became known as Gammer and Grandmother and GreatGrandmother.
Verla was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved to serve and was always in the middle of projects for her several callings in the church. She served in the Primary as a teacher, a Ward Primary President, and a Stake Primary President- she also served in the Young Woman's Program. She adored children and loved teaching them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After Dad died in 1998, her favorite calling was serving in the Jordan River Temple. She got great joy serving in the temple, until she was 92 years old and her health began to decline.
Of course, serving her family always came first. Her love for them was pure and constant. She always had a cheerful, positive outlook, no task was too great nor too small. She excelled at embroidery and crocheting, making beautiful pillowcases and quilts. She was a great cook (saved hundreds of recipes!) and a maker of delicious pies. She loved to read and do crossword puzzles. She was happiest when her hands were busy! She had a lovely alto voice and loved singing in her church choirs.
In 1981, Verla and her husband Bill, retired to Salt Lake City, Utah to enjoy their extended family, activities, and business interests. They lived in Utah for the remainder of their lives, taking many road trips and a Panama Canal cruise together. As much as she loved living in Utah, she missed her friends and family in Union, La Grande, Cove, and Elgin. There really is no place like home, so her family honored her heartfelt request to be buried beside her late husband, both their departed parents and her grandparents in the Union Oregon Cemetery.
She is survived by her two sisters, Idonna (Rick) Cantrell, Ann-ara (Warren) Black, and her five children: Linda Cooper, Bill Cooper, Susan (Scott) Shaw, Jilian (Dan) Colwell, and Ward Cooper; 17 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Colleen Cooper in 1968, her husband Bill in 1998 and her son-in-law Scott Douglas Shaw in 2011.
She was everyone's favorite person. She loved without restraint. She will be remembered always, never forgotten❣️
Vaya con Dios Verla! Toppy! Mother! Gammer! Grandmother! GreatGrandmother! We love you
A closed-casket graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 2:00 pm at the Union Victorian Cemetary, in Union, Oregon. Premier Funeral Services out of Salt Lake City, Utah, is coordinating all arrangements for the family. Becky Zaugg, the Cemetary Manager, will be accepting flowers for Verla @ 860 West Delta, Union, Oregon, 97883. For more information call Susan Shaw at #801-803-0093.
The family expresses deep gratitude to all the kind and loving caregivers who assisted with her care in the last part of her life; especially Dr. David Breding and Dr. Brent Eagan, for making a physically difficult time more bearable. We also give our thanks to Intermountain Hospice, namely Julie, Bonnie, Trevor, and Natalie who not only assisted in making Mother’s last week more comfortable but also assisted the family in helping Mother make the transition from life to death a gracious and dignified event. We cannot truly express how much your assistance meant to all of us.
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