Jean Cooper

Jean Kathryn Cooper, 95, of Marshalltown, passed away on Friday, March 10, 2017 at Hawkeye Care Center and under the care of Hospice Compassus. Funeral services for Jean will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service time. Jean Brown was born on February 1, 1922 in Marshalltown to Frank E. and Evelyn Schneider Brown. She graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1938. On August 17, 1945, Jean was united in marriage to James Kelly Cooper. Jean was employed as a secretary at the MCC Library for over 30 years, retiring in 1999. During that time she was appointed to the Marshalltown City Council to complete a 2 year term representing the 3rd Ward. After that, she was elected to serve four terms (eight years) as Councilman at Large. Jean was a Master Gardener and volunteered at the IVH in the green house for three years assisting residents with planter box gardens and indoor plants. She also participated in the Rock and Read program at Franklin School to help students in developing reading skills. Jean was an original member of Friends of the Courthouse for future generations. She served on the Historical Society Board for several years and also the Library Board. Jean was the secretary of the Senior Citizens Center for 33 years. In her free time she enjoyed gardening, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren, encouraging them to be good students and citizens. Jean is survived by her children: Shirley (Rick) Ford of Marshalltown and Mikel Johnson of Des Moines. Grandchildren: Branda Johnson, Brian (Grace) Johnson, Michael Ford, Anne Ford, Brooks (Monique) Johnson, Kelly (John) DeLuca and Bradley (Jackie) Johnson. She is also survived by 30 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Jean was preceded in death by her husband Kelly, daughter in infancy Patricia Arlene Cooper, her parents and her siblings Howard Brown and Doris McCormack. If you choose to spend a memorial, the family suggests the Historical Society of Marshall County or the Marshalltown Senior Citizens Center. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Jean and her family.