Rose Emma Cooper

On April 26, 2012, Rose Emma Cooper passed away in her sleep at the age of 105. She was born May 18, 1906 to Lewis Bedque Maxfield and Emma Artimissa Butler in Granite, Utah. She was the 8th of 10 children. Her father ran a freight hauling business and provided living quarters and meals to men he hired to work for him. Rose was always busy helping her mother with gardening, cooking, washing and cleaning, and became an excellent homemaker. She attended and graduated from Granite High school. With the encouragement from her father she enrolled in the LOS Business School in Salt Lake City, Utah and received training in secretarial skills. She became a receptionist in a dental office in Salt Lake City where she received training as a Dental Assistant. There she met and married her first husband Dr. William Sherman Marks (Doc). They relocated to Bakersfield, California where Dr. Marks had his dental practice. They had three children, Rose Marie Cooper, William Sherman Cooper, and Nancy Lee Kammerman. Upon delivery of Nancy Lee, while Rose was in the hospital, Dr. Marks passed away due to a heart attack on May 14, 1934. These children have preceded Rose in passing.

Eventually Rose met and married Arthur Lucius Cooper on October 12th, 1937 at the LOS Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah. They had two children, Emma Lou Tilzey of Billings, MT and Ashley Kennon Cooper of Bakersfield, CA. Arthur unexpectedly passed away on February 21, 1974 during a hospital exploratory procedure to check blockage in his arteries.

Rose was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She graciously served in her congregation as President of the Primary, in the Presidency of the Young Women, and as President of the Relief Society. She also faithfully served a 2 year mission at the age of 75 for the church in the Little Rock, Arkansas Area, and later served as a Temple Extraction worker. She had a great interest in her Family Tree and was diligent at working on her Genealogy.

Memories of Rose included the smell of freshly baked bread and homemade scones. She loved to cook and bake for others. When we visited her house, of course there was always a candy dish or cookies to eat. She always wanted to serve others, and had the biggest heart and loving way about her. Her little giggle she made brought a smile to everyone, and her love for the church brought meaning and passion into her life as well as others. She also loved to play cards and games and could become quite competitive as she didn’t like to lose. Some of her homemaking skills included quilting, knitting, and sewing. She was dearly loved by all and will truly be missed.

Throughout her life, she has lived in Utah, California, and Idaho, and was currently residing in Billings, Montana. Rose is also survived by her daughter Lou Tilzey and son Ashley Kennon Cooper, 12 Grandchildren, Corbie, Cody, Bronco, Mark, Treg, Jodi, Kennon, Kristian, Katie, Caroline, Craig, and Courtney, 27 Great Grandchildren, and 9 Great-great Grandchildren.

Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, Billings, MT. Graveside services will be 11:00am Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Bakersfield, CA.

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