Myrtle Cooper

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Myrtle Cooper, 99, of Highmore, passed away Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Highmore Health.   

Funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 20, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Highmore, with Father Paul Josten, celebrant.  Rosary will begin at 9:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the Mass.  Burial will follow at Chapelle Cemetery, DeGrey, SD. 

Masks are highly encouraged at all services. All are welcome to attend but for those that are unable, the service will be livestreamed on the funeral home website.  

Myrtle was born on November 11, 1921, in Buffalo County, SD to Bernard and Clara (Abernathy) Gregg.  She was the third born of nine children. When she was a baby the family moved to “the pocket” near the Missouri River in Hughes County. She grew up on a ranch helping her dad and herding sheep with her sister, Mildred. Myrtle had many stories to tell about life during the dirty 30’s. She attended an elementary one room country school, graduating from Harrold High School in 1940. After high school attended Notre Dame Academy in Mitchell to pursue a teaching diploma. Her first teaching position was at the De Grey School and paid a yearly wage of $700. She rode horse back over two miles morning and night.

In 1946, Myrtle took a break from teaching and married Billy Cooper of De Grey, where they made a home and raised their four children.  She kept busy working side by side with Billy on their ranch, milking cows, raising a big garden, and tending to all the “other” animals. She was a good friend and mother figure to anyone that needed it.

Myrtle returned to teaching after all the kids were in school. Attending night classes and summer school, she received her bachelor’s degree in education.  After Billy passed in 1974, Myrtle remained on the ranch, continued teaching until she retired in 1986 and moved to Harrold to be closer to family.

She was an active member of the St. John’s Catholic Church and community, serving as a 4-H leader, school board member, Mid Dakota Rural Water board member, and an active member of the Helping Hand Club. Myrtle enjoyed attending grandkids activities, making quilts, crocheting, and tending to her roses.  She also sold Stanley Home Products for over 40 years.  

Myrtle will be greatly missed by her four kids: Kathyrn (Norman) Galinat, Will (Norma) Cooper, Mary (Bruce) Norman, and Susan (Mike) Roberts; her grandchildren: Shannon (Stacey) Galinat, Kristin (Lee) Kinney, Darrin (Anna) Galinat, Derrick (Jamie) Galinat, Heidi (Chad) Justus, Heather (Shad) Sweeney, Steven (Heather) Norman, Tyson (Myra) Norman, Adam (Leigha) Norman, Tara (Clint) Buchholz, Jason (Lacey) Roberts, and Allison (Cory) Berndt; her sister, Joyce Norris; 24 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; three sisters, and four brothers. 

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Myrtle’s arrangements.