Obituary of Avadele Cooper

Avadele “Avie” Cooper, 92, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2020 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Avie was born near Richland Center, WI on June 13, 1927 to farmers Earl and Gladys Thompson. She was a good student and cheerleader, but not fond of milking cows before school!

She married the love of her life, Calvin (Cal) Cooper on January 1, 1946 when he was on leave from the Navy. They honeymooned in Boston, where Cal’s ship was docked. Always a knock-out, Avie caused quite a stir when Cal brought her for a tour of his ship.

After the war, when Cal was a student at the University of Wisconsin, Avie worked full time as a switchboard operator and receptionist, allowing them to save money for their first car and home. Cal said, “I could not have graduated without Avie’s unceasing support, her name should also be on that sheepskin.” Avie was a lifelong partner in her husband’s career and they always viewed his success to be their shared success.

After graduation, Avie and Cal moved to Chicago, where Avie worked as a Personnel Counselor at a staffing firm. Cal was impressed with how easily and comfortably Avie interacted with all people. She believed that no one was more important than another, tried to put everyone at ease, and lived her life looking for the good in others.

Avie and Cal raised their two children in Villa Park, Rockford, and Crystal Lake Illinois. Avie was known for her stylish attire, her beautifully decorated home, skilled sewing, and delicious cooking. She was also the consummate hostess, entertaining friends and Cal’s business associates regularly. Evenings of dining and dancing were often topped off with a few rounds of Euchre and plenty of laughter. Always energetic, Avie managed this while also working as a receptionist for an engineering firm and then graduating at the top of her class in Cosmetology school. She put her cosmetology skills to work in her basement salon and also volunteered to do the hair of patients at a local hospital.

In retirement, Avie and Cal moved to Tucson and had an active life with the golf community. Avie loved dancing the polka with Cal, traveling the world with him, and beating him at golf.

Avie combined classy with sassy. She was always ready for fun, for an adventure, and if it included a glass of white zinfandel, all the better. People were drawn to her offbeat sense of humor and good-natured teasing, to her energy, optimism and generous spirit.

Avie will be greatly missed by her daughter, Vicki Cooper-Naughton; son, Scott Cooper; grandchildren, Aimee, Rachel, and Alex Cooper; and great-grandson, Calvin Fisher; and siblings Norma Thiede, Donna Dosch, and Frank Thompson.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Calvin, sister Nona Acketz, and parents Earl and Gladys Thompson.

A memorial service will be held at 11am on March 21, 2020 at Willow Valley United Methodist Church in Ithaca, WI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Avie’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Hospital. http://giftfunds.stjude.org/avadele