Margaret Elaine Cooper

Elaine Cooper, 77, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2018 at home in Platteville, Colorado after facing cancer head-on with grace, determination and the utmost dignity during these past five years.

Born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska on February 5, 1941, Elaine was the daughter of Volga Germans, George Lehr and Anna Margaret Zitterkopf, who immigrated as children from Russia in the early 1900's with their family members. George and Anna Margaret worked hard to provide a comfortable, yet simple lifestyle for their three children in Nebraska, not knowing one day that their youngest daughter Elaine would have the opportunity to travel the world, build friendships with national and foreign dignitaries and even dance with the President of the United States ~ truly exceeding their expectations of living the American dream.

Elaine married her childhood sweetheart, Steve Cooper, who at the time was serving our Country with the U.S. Army assigned to the NSA working with Sunni Muslims in Turkey. Elaine and Steve started their journey as husband and wife in Mineral Wells, Texas and eventually settled in Denver, Colorado, where they started their family. They first welcomed Stephanie, followed by Brenda who was with them for only 4 days, a few years later Amy was born completing the circle of what they often referred to as “the four of us.” Elaine and Steve raised their family in Green Mountain, Colorado, where Elaine volunteered as a Girl Scout leader and worked as a teacher's aide at the local elementary school less than a block away. Elaine was skilled with cooking, gardening and entertaining. They traveled often to visit family, went on fabulous camping trips throughout Colorado and explored much of the Western U.S. and Canada.

Life quickly changed in the late 1970’s when Steve was appointed by the President of the United States to work on a special project in Washington D.C. During Christmas break of 1979, the family moved to the suburbs of D.C. where Elaine immediately embraced her new lifestyle in Virginia, eagerly fulfilling her thirst for knowledge by taking advantage of the rich history, instilling her passion for gardening with new plants and taking a keen interest in creating her own artistic home accessories, which she commissioned as special orders for clients. Elaine and Steve appreciated all of the opportunities Washington D.C. provided and enjoyed traveling around the world together and with dear friends during the 22 years they lived there.

Elaine and Steve returned to Colorado to enjoy their retirement years with their two daughters, eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren with the joyful anticipation of adding a 4th great grandchild this fall. Established in a new community, Elaine took a new interest in quilting and volunteered her time making quilts for “ABC Quilts of Colorado” benefiting children in situations of social services, women's safe houses, veteran family shelters and emergency rooms. Elaine lived life to its fullest, she was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, always putting her family first. Elaine was intertwined with Steve, Stephanie and Amy one last time as “the four of us” before starting her new journey. Elaine will be greatly missed, yet we find deep comfort knowing she is no longer in pain and able to finally hold her infant daughter Brenda in her arms for the first time.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be planned later this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family would like for donations to be made to the Weld County Food bank, your local food bank, ABC Quilts of Colorado or your local Hospice Care center in honor of Elaine Cooper in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631.

Please visit www.allnutt.com to send condolences to the family.