Patty Jean Cooper

When Patty was 7 years old, her father separated from the family, leaving her mother alone to raise her and her sister. Despite this difficult and trying environment, Patty learned through her mother the importance of reliance on God. She shared many stories of how God miraculously provided for their needs. One such example, one of the neighbors Patty's mom did seamstress work for needed a place to store a piano. This stored piano introduced music to the Ruppert household and allowed Patty to become skilled at playing as well as develop her love of music. Patty went on to join various singing groups and choirs available at both school and church and in addition to the piano, also taught herself to play the organ, accordion, and saxophone. In addition to her love of music, Patty was an excellent student, graduating high school Valedictorian. After graduation, Patty worked at the army airbase in McCook, Nebraska as a secretary becoming quite proficient in short hand and typing.

Life took an interesting turn when her sister Betty, married a young evangelist, Charles Blair, and Patty and their mother followed them in moving to Colorado. Since Patty played the piano, Charles asked her to provide the music for him at a revival in Denver. The music caught the ear AND EYE of a young man named Donald Cooper who boldly declared, upon seeing Patty at first sight, that he would marry her. It was certainly providence because shortly thereafter Donald would invite Patty on a family vacation and surprise her by "popping the question." A few months later they would be married by Donald's dad, Reverend Daniel Cooper, at Denver Tabernacle....the church that had sponsored the revival. In the early years of marriage, Patty and Donald ran a motel and gas station together as well as assisting at her father-in-law’s church on the weekend. She would go on to serve at that church in multiple capacities as organist, pianist, orchestra saxophonist, and Choir Director. Years later, Patty worked full time as Assistant to the Missions Pastor at her brother-in-law’s church, Calvary Temple, and also as a receptionist at Life Center, a retirement home. Sharing God's word through music, taking care of her husband, and raising her children in the Lord are her legacy. The name Patty, derives from Latin origin Patrician meaning ‘noble’ and strength in battle. She will be remembered as a courageous, loving servant of the Lord and devoted prayer warrior. We will miss her unshakeable faith, selfless prayer support, unconditional love, humility, and servant heart.

Donald and Patty were blessed with four children, Gary, Ronald (Gayle), Debora (Randy), and Gail (Mike) and later grandchildren, Donald (Claire), Patricia (Scott), David, Joshua (Dina), Jonathan, and Christy (Marshall) and great grandchildren, Channing, Jaxson, Caleb, Abigail, Michael, and Kaitlin.