Esther Louise Lorenson-Cooper

Esther L. Lorenson-Cooper, age 95, passed away peacefully in her daughter's home on March 31, 2026 after a stay in the hospital and on Hinds Hospice care. She was born at home in Salina, Kansas on March 17, 1931 to parents Nels J. and Esther V. Lorenson. Esther graduated from Salina High School in 1949, then worked at a couple of five & dime stores and a movie house before moving to California to be near her sister, Alice. Esther worked at the "White Theatre" in Fresno before going to work for AT&T at the age of nineteen, starting as a communication technician. After retiring, Esther also worked for Merchants Donuts in Fresno, White Oaks Guest Home in Oakhurst and volunteered at the Oakhurst Senior Center.

Esther married RC Vernon Sherrell in 1950 and had two children, Vernon Lynn and Pamela Marie. Esther and RC were divorced in 1972. She was then married to Tom Thompson from 1972-1977. After moving to Oakhurst, she met and married Gary Cooper in 1994 and they were married until his death in 2006.

Esther is survived by her daughter Pam and husband Art Morris of Selma, five grandchildren; Misty Dart of North Carolina, Scott Sherrell of North Carolina, RC Sherrell of California, Melissa Ramirez of Georgia and Kyle Sherrell of California. She is also survived by twelve great-grandchildren (who call her "Grandma Grape"), eight great-great-grandchildren and one brother Richard Lorenson of Kansas. Esther was preceded in death by her son Vernon Sherrell in 1993 and husband Gary Cooper in 2006. She was also preceded in death by her father, mother, six older brothers and three sisters.

Esther had various hobbies and adventures that included: painting, boating, camping, water skiing, bowling, roller skating, snow skiing, windsurfing, traveling, golfing, reading, sewing, crocheting, gardening, and later in life playing Bingo and cards and working on jig-saw and crossword puzzles.

A memorial service will be held on Friday April, 17, 2026 at Palm Memorial - Sierra Chapel, 49269 Road 426, Oakhurst, California 93644, with the visitation starting at 10:30 am, followed by a Funeral Service at the same location from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

A Committal Service will take place at Oakhill Cemetery, 40188 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst, California 93644, on April 17, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Remembrances in Esther's name can be made to Hinds Hospice, Attn: Dev. Dept., 2490 W. Shaw Ave., Ste. 101, Fresno, CA 93711, 559-320-0308 or to your favorite charity.