Nola was my dad's (Lorance Cooper) cousin.  He use to tell the most amazing stories of growing up and spending time with her; whether painting a fence, hypnotizing chickens, shooting her in the bum with a bb gun, or playing "Nola" repeatedly on the player piano while she was home sick just to torment her.  Really, they were the best of friends, and their friendship that lasted throughout their lives.

When I was a little girl, we used to go out to Iowa to see Grandma and Grandpa Cooper and my Aunt Ganelda and, of course, Nola and her family. I remember Nola's girls, Linda, Kayla, and Rhonda vividly.  They seemed so grown up to me (I was probably 5 at the time and they were a few years older) and were always so nice to me and my brothers.

Nola was a dear and special part of our family through the years, coming to Boston for all the important occasions.  I have a picture of Aunt Lela, Nola, my Grandpa Cooper, me, Ganelda, and Wendy (my daughter) when Wendy was just a baby for a several generation photo.

Nola was also the keeper of the treasures.  By that I mean she had all the pictures, embroidery, and historical information of the Johnsons, the Coopers, the Werners and probably tons of other relatives who I don't even know.  She gave me two hankies for our wedding day; one for me that my grandma had embroidered and one for Dave of my grandpa's that they both carried at their wedding.  Both hankies have been included in several weddings since then (Wendy's, and her cousin Jonathan's, as well as a few close friends).

When Wendy was about 14, we all went out to Iowa to visit and at the end of the trip Wendy commented that according to Nola and Ganelda, we were related to everyone in Iowa!  We had a wonderful time on that trip and even got to see where Nola worked (at the doctor's office).

I am so glad that Dave and I were able to see her two years ago in Florida, before she moved to Oklahoma.  I hope that she remembered the visit as fondly as I do.

She was very loved and will always be in our hearts.  I like to think that she and my dad have been reunited and are now causing trouble in heaven.

I was probaly Nola's longest friend.  I was 3 when she was born.  Before she was born Aunt Lela and Uncle Burl (I always called them that) treated me like their daughter.  I loved to spend time at their house along with Grandma and Grandpa Cooper.  Nola did not have to do any chores and they always had oranges.  We talked to each other on either my birthday Dec. 13 or hers.  Inez Mentink Martz of 1167 Leisure World, Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Letts, Iowa.  I have a picture of you and your sister along with my kids when you were pre schoolers.

I was probaly Nola's longest friend.  I was 3 when she was born.  Before she was born Aunt Lela and Uncle Burl (I always called them that) treated me like their daughter.  I loved to spend time at their house along with Grandma and Grandpa Cooper.  Nola did not have to do any chores and they always had oranges.  We talked to each other on either my birthday Dec. 13 or hers.  Inez Mentink Martz of ``67 Leisure World, Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Letts, Iowa.  I have a picture of you and your sister along with my kids when you were pre schoolers.

OBITUARY

Nola Maxine Werner

18 December, 1931 – 23 September, 2012

Chapel Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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