Lenora Cooper

LENORA MAY MILLER COOPER

Mrs. Lenora Cooper, 91, Topeka, passed away on Thursday, March 22, 2007, at Aldersgate Village.

She was born July 31, 1915, at Stet, Missouri, the daughter of George and Margaret (Newham) Temple.

She attended school in Missouri and received her bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Emporia State Teachers College.

Mrs. Cooper was an elementary teacher for 43 years. She taught in Missouri and Kansas, including Kanorado, Lebo and for 18 years at East Avondale and Crestview schools in Topeka.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Yomac Sunday School class; national, state and local teachers' associations; American Association of University Women; P.E.O.; Primetimers; Phylomathean Club; and Delta Kappa Gamma.

She was married to Charles Miller for 27 years. He died in 1960. She was married in 1962 to Ivan A. Cooper. He died September 15, 2006. Survivors include her daughter, Marilyn Miller Quinn, Holton; stepchildren, Kathy Kroupa, Tampa, Dennis Cooper, Hutchinson, Kipp Cooper, Salina; granddaughter, Tomari Quinn, Topeka; 10 stepgrandchildren and 15 stepgreat-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Gilbert and Carl Temple; and two sisters, Frances Gentry and Delores Byerly.

She had a deep love for her family and the children she taught. She also loved music and spent many hours listening to music, painting and reading. She and her husband, Ivan, took many trips and enjoyed their lives together.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Mrs. Cooper will lie in state at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Monday.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 600 S.W. Topeka, Topeka, KS 66603 or the Good Samaritan Fund at Aldersgate Village, 7220 S.W. Asbury Drive, Topeka, KS 66614.

To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.