Marilyn D. Cooper

Marilyn was born on September 2, 1931, at Heights Hospital in Houston, Texas, to Ella Klein Doering and Henry Christian Doering. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church by Rev. J. W. Behnken. When she was three years old, the family moved to Spring, Texas. Her father passed away when Marilyn was nine.

At age sixteen, Marilyn attended St. John’s Academy in Winfield, Kansas, where she was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church by Rev. Carl Zehnder. She graduated from St. John’s Academy High School in 1949 and from Junior College in 1951.

Following graduation, Marilyn returned to Texas and served as a teacher at Immanuel Lutheran Church, teaching fourth grade for one year and kindergarten for two years. She later worked for Humble Oil and Refining Company for two years.

On October 7, 1955, Marilyn married Fred Cooper. Together they were blessed with three daughters and one son.

Marilyn was a devoted wife and mother whose greatest joy was time spent with her children and grandchildren. She never met a stranger and had a remarkable gift for connecting with others—often asking about their lives and their faith, and frequently discovering a shared connection. With sixty-three first cousins, it seemed that nearly everyone she met knew someone she knew.

Her interest in others was genuine, and her ability to remember personal details reflected her deep care and love. Marilyn was dearly loved by the staff at Chandler Nursing Home, where even in discomfort she remained focused on others—asking about their lives and praying for them. Her faith was her foundation, and prayer was her strength. She lived her faith through service to others, never seeking recognition or reward.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Fred Cooper; her nephew, Ronald Wayne Doering; her parents; her siblings, Vernon Doering, Henry “Buddy” Doering, and sister Laverne Hodges; and her in-laws, Minnie and Frank Cooper; brother-in-law Wilbur Cooper; and sisters-in-law Clara Mae, Dorothy, and Ada.

She is survived by her children: Kay Keery (husband Paul), Sharon Hubert (husband Dale), Carol Stark (husband Darryl), and Kyle Cooper (wife Julie). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Laura Keery Burkett, Jennifer Keery Wohlgemuth, Kelin Bower, Kimbra Bower, Wendi Stark Warren, Josh Cooper, Ashley Cooper, and Shaun Cooper; her great-grandchildren: Grayson, Jacob, and Emmett Burkett; Maebry and Coraline Bower; Kai Sato; and Brody, Tessa, and Wade Welker; and her great-great-grandchild, Chase Welker.

Marilyn was quick to smile, loved to laugh, and always had a joke of the day ready. She taught all who knew her that love and memories—not possessions—are what truly matter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, Lutheran Hour or a charity of your choice.