Billie Ilene Cooper

Billie Ilene Cooper, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away at her home on June 30, 2021. In the days prior to her passing many of her family and friends were able to say their goodbyes at the family home. The family wishes to express our sincere appreciation to the Avondale community for their concern and caring and especially to our neighbor John Peck who provided Billie with loving comfort and competent care after she return home from the hospital.

Billie was born January 14, 1930 in Fowler, Colorado to Wilhelm (Willie) J. Trautwein and Eva R. (McLallen) Trautwein. After graduating from Fowler High School Billie worked in the family shoe shop and as a teller at Fowler State Bank directly across the street from the shoe shop.

Billie met her future husband, Donald Cooper, at a dance in Fowler. She always told the story that she went to the dance with one boy and came home with another. Billie and Don built their home on the Cooper family farm southeast of Avondale, Colorado where they resided for all 69 years of their marriage.

Billie was a kind and gentle woman who was devoted to her family. She was an excellent homemaker, artist, cook, seamstress, and bookkeeper, among the myriad of other titles that came along with being a “farmer’s wife”. She was the true marketing genius behind the successful produce stand that the family operated for many years, and she developed personal relationships with many customers who came from far and wide. Billie had a big heart for all animals, often caring for orphaned birds, stray cats and assorted dogs that somehow found their way to her door.

Billie was a member of the Avondale United Methodist Church. She had great faith and always said she had a direct line to God through prayer.

Billie is survived by her husband Donald and their three sons and their families.

The eldest son, Blake of Fort Collins, Colorado and his wife Richelle, and Billie’s granddaughter, Emily Cooper, and her husband Scott Komula. Grandson Drew Cooper and his wife Samantha and three great grandchildren; Bella Marie, Davis and Cash Cooper all residing in Colorado.

She is survived by her middle son Timothy (Tim) and his wife Rexalena, who reside in both Ventura, California and Bemidji, MN. Billie’s granddaughter, Jessica and her husband Phil Lau and great-grand-daughter Sienna, and by Billie’s grandson Taylor Cooper all residing in California.

She is survived by her youngest son Bret and his wife Veronica of Bemidji, MN.

Billie is also survived by the neighboring Ryan and Yvonne Froman and family, Bryce, Regan and Ryleigh who are now a part of the Cooper family and are dear to the hearts of Grandpa Don and Grandma Billie.

Billie was preceded in death by her own parents and her in-laws and by her darling little daughter Janet, in addition to many other extended relatives.

A visitation is scheduled from 4-6 PM on Tuesday July 13th followed by a simple graveside service at 10 o’clock in the morning of Wednesday July 14th at Imperial Memorial Gardens located at 5450 Highway 78 West Pueblo, CO.