From http://www.tributes.com
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Donna M. Rupalo, daughter of Leo C. and Lennie M. (Hamm) Cooper was born November 12, 1926 in Mystic, Iowa. She passed peacefully from this life at the Mercy Medical Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa on January 13, 2012 at the age of 85.
Donna graduated from Mystic High School in May of 1943 at the age of 16. She moved to Des Moines, where she lived in the Highland Park area, working for a local clothing store. She then attended Centerville Jr. College earning her teaching certificate, and later taught at the Swan rural country school. She became engaged to her only love, Walter Rupalo on January 16, 1947 later being married on May 22, 1947 at the Methodist Church in Centerville, Iowa.
They made their home in Rock Island, Illinois, until February of 1952 when they bought their present farm on the south edge of Seymour. To this union three children were born; Duane, Beverly and Marilyn. Donna was a member of the Seymour Christian Church where she served as Secretary of the Board more than 25 years. During most of that time she was responsible for organizing dozens of courtesy meals for grieving church friends. As her eyesight and health failed the last few years, she missed the ability of attending church services and activities.
Donna loved her family and spent most of her time seeing to their needs and planning for family gatherings. She particularly loved to host large family Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas Eve soup suppers. She took after her father believing there was no such thing as a small garden. She canned and froze vegetables so there would be plenty during the winter months. Donna was known as a wonderful cook and would take special orders for pie as she prepared for the many bake sales for the church. She also loved flowers and had a large variety growing in special spots around her yard.
She took special enjoyment from her grandchildren and took pride in all their accomplishments. Whether it was a ballgame, school test, or job interview, she was always concerned regarding how they did and praised them. When she knew the grandchildren were coming she made sure to cook their favorites.
Preceding Donna in death were her husband of almost 54 years, Walter Rupalo; her parents; her brothers, Charles Stanley Cooper, Dr. A. W.(Bill) Cooper, Dr R. E. (Dick) Cooper and Dr. Gary V. Cooper; her sister, Carol M. Cooper; a brother-in-law, Wayne Larson and a nephew, Bruce Cooper.
Survivors include son, Duane and his wife Sarah of Seymour, daughter Beverly and her husband Jerry Walsh of Bondurant Iowa and daughter, Marilyn and her husband Jeff Walsh of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, her grandchildren, Kelly and Deena Rupalo and Tyler, Shelby, Jay and Allison Walsh; brother, LeRoy and Joyce Cooper of Glen Carbon, Illinois; sisters Betty Larson of Des Moines and JoAnn and Jim Costello of Burlington, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Barbara Cooper of Seymour and Sharon Cooper of Centerville plus a host of nieces and nephews and many friends.
Donna graduated from Mystic High School in May of 1943 at the age of 16. She moved to Des Moines, where she lived in the Highland Park area, working for a local clothing store. She then attended Centerville Jr. College earning her teaching certificate, and later taught at the Swan rural country school. She became engaged to her only love, Walter Rupalo on January 16, 1947 later being married on May 22, 1947 at the Methodist Church in Centerville, Iowa.
They made their home in Rock Island, Illinois, until February of 1952 when they bought their present farm on the south edge of Seymour. To this union three children were born; Duane, Beverly and Marilyn. Donna was a member of the Seymour Christian Church where she served as Secretary of the Board more than 25 years. During most of that time she was responsible for organizing dozens of courtesy meals for grieving church friends. As her eyesight and health failed the last few years, she missed the ability of attending church services and activities.
Donna loved her family and spent most of her time seeing to their needs and planning for family gatherings. She particularly loved to host large family Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas Eve soup suppers. She took after her father believing there was no such thing as a small garden. She canned and froze vegetables so there would be plenty during the winter months. Donna was known as a wonderful cook and would take special orders for pie as she prepared for the many bake sales for the church. She also loved flowers and had a large variety growing in special spots around her yard.
She took special enjoyment from her grandchildren and took pride in all their accomplishments. Whether it was a ballgame, school test, or job interview, she was always concerned regarding how they did and praised them. When she knew the grandchildren were coming she made sure to cook their favorites.
Preceding Donna in death were her husband of almost 54 years, Walter Rupalo; her parents; her brothers, Charles Stanley Cooper, Dr. A. W.(Bill) Cooper, Dr R. E. (Dick) Cooper and Dr. Gary V. Cooper; her sister, Carol M. Cooper; a brother-in-law, Wayne Larson and a nephew, Bruce Cooper.
Survivors include son, Duane and his wife Sarah of Seymour, daughter Beverly and her husband Jerry Walsh of Bondurant Iowa and daughter, Marilyn and her husband Jeff Walsh of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, her grandchildren, Kelly and Deena Rupalo and Tyler, Shelby, Jay and Allison Walsh; brother, LeRoy and Joyce Cooper of Glen Carbon, Illinois; sisters Betty Larson of Des Moines and JoAnn and Jim Costello of Burlington, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Barbara Cooper of Seymour and Sharon Cooper of Centerville plus a host of nieces and nephews and many friends.
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