Anna "Annie" M. Cooper

Anna May (Vowinckel) Cooper, born May 10th, 1933 passed at the Mitchell County Hospital December 21st, 2010, being 77 years young. Born to Ray and Anna Dora Vowinckel in Pittsburg, PA. "Annie", as known to most, attended school and graduated in her home town of Pittsburg.
After graduating, Annie went to work for Ma-Bell Telephone Company. Even back then, people would migrate South for the winter, using the telephone to communicate back home. Operators were in demand, so Annie and a girlfriend co-worker decided to go on an adventure to St. Petersburg, Florida with Bell Telephone. There she met Rod, who was stationed at Mac Dill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida. Little did she know her adventure would last 55 years when they got married September 17th, 1955, remaining in the Tampa/Orlando area until their tour of duty was completed with the Air Force.
Returning to the Kansas family farm was quite a change for the City girl from Pennsylvania, but she adapted very well. Many of you will remember her from a multitude of different jobs. In the early years she worked at Cunningham Telephone, did bookkeeping for several small businesses, worked at the Beloit and Osborne sale barns, Traders State Bank, Post Office and the Mitchell County Hospital. But her true love for the farm eventually won out when in the mid 70's, when she joined Rod full time in the operation. Although she was petite and kind, she was also feisty and strong willed, so driving a tractor or a truck was not a challenge. Much like her motherly instinct for nieces and nephews, she loved to nurture the baby pigs, making pets out of many of them. She had many hobbies, and most of them involved family. Going to the lake, fishing, cooking, learning to play the organ, listening to country music, and the list goes on and on. Her fondness of Mickey Mouse is shown in the many shirts and figurines she collected.
In 1987 Annie was diagnosed with a rare disease of the spinal column called Syringo Myelia. As this was incurable, she endured many years of surgeries and pain. Although her disease would some days almost make life unbearable, she stilled made the most of it by being with friends and family for whatever event was going on.
Annie was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Anna Dora Vowinckel, and a younger brother Larry. She leaves to mourn, her husband and best friend Rod of the home. A brother Bill and wife Marjorie of Glen Elder, sister Nancy and husband Fred Frender of Pittsburg, PA., a very special cousin Larena and husband Al Kirsch of Rawlins, WY. Nieces and Nephews who affectionally called her Auntie Ann, Mike Cooper, wife Glada and Bruce Cooper, wife Melody, both of Beloit, Wendy (Vowinckel) Brown, Albuquerque,NM., Adam Vowinckel and wife Jody, Glen Elder, and Nathan Vowinckel and wife Ginny, Carbondale, KS. It cannot go without mention all of the Great nieces and nephews who will miss her, especially Autumn and Austin who called her" Grandma Annie".

Memorial services will be at 10:30 AM Tuesday, December 28 at the Glen Elder Methodist Church. Memorials may be given to Solomon Valley Hospice. There will be no visitation - the body was cremated.