Obituary of Amelia Ann Cooper

Amelia “Amy” Ann Langston Cooper was born November 11, 1941, in Shenandoah, Iowa to Eldon “Cal” and Lena (Morhain) Langston. She passed away peacefully at the age of 81 on December 16, 2022, at Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, from a short recurring bout of cancer, surrounded by her loved ones.

She attended Shenandoah school through eighth grade, when the family moved to a farm by Elmo, Missouri.  She was one of only nine students to graduate from Elmo in 1960, which was the last graduating class from Elmo.  After high school, Amy moved to Clarinda.  While there, she worked for Dr. Bates and worked at the Linderman Hotel.  Amy lived with her sister, Janice, and helped her care for her children.  Amy was united in marriage to Ronald Cooper in September 1965.  To this union, two children were born: Michelle and Doug.

Amy had a wide array of employment experience including the Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Nodaway Valley Bank, Villisca Hy-Vee, Villisca Municipal Power Plant, Villisca Good Samaritan Center, and Montgomery County Treasurer’s Office.  After retiring from the treasurer’s office, she worked part-time in the Villisca Housing office.  While her kids were growing up, she was a Sunday school teacher and 4-H leader.  She was a member of the Methodist women’s circle.

For several years, Amy would go to Clarinda on the weekends and meet her sister, Janice, for coffee.  Then, they would go to J’s Pizza and make food for the Sunday buffet.  Oh, the stories that kitchen could share from those two sisters.  Amy truly valued her family and loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She was known for her baking, especially her famous sugar cookies that never seemed to last too long!

Amy’s legacy will be honored by her daughter, Michelle, of Red Oak, IA; son, Doug Cooper (Tasha) of Villisca, IA; siblings Janice Moses of Clarinda, IA, Winnie (Rex) Fowler of Carlisle, IA, Karen (Ron) McIntire of Menlo, IA, Roger Langston of Maryville, MO, Rose Hilgedick of Mesa, AZ, Randy Langston of Kansas City, MO, Lynn (Brenda) Langston of Elmo, MO, her grandchildren Dustin (Emily) Thompson of Villisca, IA, Ashley Thompson of Villisca, IA, Shelby Cooper of Omaha, NE, and Colby Cooper of Killeen, TX; four great-grandchildren; her cat, Leo, nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

Amy was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Ronnie Langston; brothers-in-law John Moses, Homer Karg, and Wayne Hilgedick; and niece, Julie Moses.