Rosella Marie Cooper

Rosella Marie Suhler was born September 9, 1929, in Campo, Colorado to Ted and Ruby Suhler.

Rosella grew up on the family ranch 17 miles west of Campo and 20 miles south of Pritchett.  Rosella and her brother, Howard, (eight years younger) attended school at the one room schoolhouse, “New Hope”, which was two miles east of their ranch.  Sometimes she walked to and from school, but most often, would ride her horse.  Rosella attended the New Hope school through 8 ^th grade.  Then, she and her Mom moved to Springfield so she could attend high school, graduating with the class of 1946.  It was during her high school years that she met Cecil Cooper and after courting for some time, they were married April 20, 1947.  To this union, four children were born:  Cecil George -1948, Randy Gene-1951, Kathleen Joy-1954, and Cecilia Marie-1961.  Obviously, Mom had her work cut out for her raising four kids, but that huge responsibility was only a part of who she was.  She became so many things to so many people during her life.  She helped run their business, the Western Ranch Store/Quality Shoe Shop.  In 1957, Cecil and Rosella bought the Dennison/Cheek farm seven miles west of Springfield.  Obviously, this took Dad away from the business, thus adding more responsibilities on Mom, but she just rolled up her sleeves and did it.

In 1968, they sold the western store and opened the Sears Catalog store in Springfield.  Rosella was the sales person/bookkeeper and Cecil delivered and repaired the appliances, but Rosella could unpack and dolly those appliances by herself when she needed to.   In 1970, the family ranch was sold and Rosella’s parents moved to Springfield.  This was a bitter-sweet time for all of the family, as it was great to have them close, but the ranch held so many memories.

Looking back on Mom’s life, as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, we are so proud of our heritage and so thankful for her example to follow Christ.  She was so committed to her Lord’s and her responsibility to “raise up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,” that she had a routine that became a tradition as we were growing up.  On Wednesdays, Mom and Dad were adamant that we attend the prayer and Bible studies which started at 7:00 pm.  So in an effort to be on time, we had either potato or tomato soup with lots of crackers They worked in many capacities in the church. We recall Mom and Dad singing in the First Baptist Church choir, singing specials with Gene and Eva Mae Dunlap, and ministering through song at numerous funeral services.  Mom also worked as a “pink lady”, held several positions in the ladies’ Hospital Auxiliary.  and diligently lined up the birthdays and in-memory dates of community loved ones for the hospital calendar.

Later in life, Mom became the care giver to her parents as their health declined. She eventually had to have her father admitted to the nursing home and he passed in 2003.  During this time, Mom was also providing care and encouragement to her husband Cecil, who was fighting cancer.  Dad passed in 2005, and then her Mom needed 24-hour care at the LTC Center, eventually passing in 2007.  During these trying times, I recall going into Mom and Dad’s home, early in the morning, and they would be sitting at the breakfast table with their Bibles open, reading their devotions and praying.  It would melt my heart to hear their prayers as they prayed for their families, their brothers and sisters in Christ, their neighbors and our country and its leaders.

Eventually, Mom’s health began failing to the point she needed 24-hour care. Knowing mom’s desire to stay in her home as long as possible, Kathleen was able to move back and provide the support she needed. Our utmost thanks to you, Kathleen and David, for the support and attention given to our mother.

Rosella was preceded in death by her brother Howard in 1951, her father Ted in 2003, her husband Cecil in 2005, her mother Ruby in 2007 and her daughter-in-law Sharla in 2013. She is survived by her four children, 20 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren. Rosella Marie (Suhler) Cooper “gone but not forgotten”, always loved, respected, admired. We were so blessed to have you in our lives!

The family suggests memorial contributions be given to Springfield First Baptist Church or the SECHD Memory Care Unit, 373 E. 10 ^th Ave. Springfield CO, 81073, directly or by way of the funeral home.