Keith B. Cooper

Keith B. Cooper

1927 – 2011

Keith Burdette Cooper was born on November 25, 1927 to Harry and Hattie (Ofe) Cooper in Seward, NE. The family moved to a farm north of Ewing where he lived with his parents, two brothers and three sisters. He attended Ewing High School until 1943 when his family moved to a small acreage in southeast Oakdale. Keith attended Oakdale High School and graduated in 1945. After his graduation, he helped his father raise turkeys and also worked as a telegrapher for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad.

On January 13, 1951, he married Joyce Ann Brozek. To this union one son and three daughters were born. Keith left for duty in the Army on January 23, 1951. He took his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was one of 3 soldiers picked to attend Engineer School at Fort Hayes, Ohio. He returned to Granite City, Illinois where his unit was stationed. His unit was sent to Goose Bay, Labrador to build roads and airport runways. They returned to Illinois where he completed his tour of duty. Upon his discharge on January 22, 1953, Keith received a special letter of commendation from his commanding officer, Douglas L. Thaxton, for his work, character, and good judgement. Keith made lifelong friends with many of the men in his unit. He always tried to attend their yearly reunions until he was unable to do so. Keith and his wife Joyce still receive letters and phone calls from some of his army buddies. His buddies close by have been constant in their visits and encouragement.

When Keith returned home from his service tour of duty, they moved to a farm near Oakdale. He continued farming and also began working for the District 6 Antelope Co. Road Dept. In 1968, the family moved to Oakdale. He continued farming and working for Antelope County for 32 years.

In his spare time, Keith spent many hours playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also loved hunting, fishing and camping.

Keith spent most of his life in Public Service in one capacity or another. He was President and served for many years on several school boards including the Oakdale School. He was a 60 plus year member of the Oakdale United Methodist Church and served several years on the Board of Trustees. Keith was a volunteer fireman for 21 years. He also served on the Cemetery Board.

In 1992, Keith was elected Supervisor of District 6 in Antelope County. He was re-elected again in 1997 for 4 more years.

Keith suffered a severe stroke in November 1999 and was very limited in his ability to get around. In November 2006, he moved to The Golden Living Center in Neligh.

Keith died Sunday, December 18, 2011 at Golden Living Center in Neligh, Nebraska.

Keith is survived by his wife, Joyce of Oakdale, NE; daughters, Kathy and Ray Arends of Norfolk, NE, Carla and Dave Kallhoff of Elgin, NE, and Shari Ritter of Norfolk, NE; daughter-in-law, Teri Cooper of South Sioux City, NE; eight grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren; sisters, Doris and Stanley Eymann of Tilden, NE, and Shirley Brozek of Lincoln, NE.

He was preceded in death by his son, Ronald; son-in-law, John Ritter; parents, Harry and Hattie Cooper; one sister, Lois; and two brothers, Eugene and Paul.

Visitation was held Tuesday from 4 to 8 P.M. at Brockhaus-Harlan Funeral Home in Tilden.

Funeral services for Keith Cooper, age 84 of Neligh, formerly of Oakdale, were held Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 10:30 A.M. at the United Methodist Church in Oakdale with Pastor Carroll Plisek officiating. Burial was in the Oakdale Cemetery with military rites by Veterans of Forgein Wars Post 5287 and American Legion Post 172 of Neligh.

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Funeral services for Keith Cooper, age 84 of Neligh, formerly of Oakdale, were held Wednesday December 21, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Oakdale with Pastor Carroll Plisek officiating.

Burial was in the Oakdale Cemetery with mili-tary rites by Veterans of Forgin Wars Post 5287 and American Legion Post 172 of Neligh.

Visitation was held Tuesday evening at Brockhaus-Harlan Funeral Home in Tilden.

Keith Burdette Cooper was born on November 25, 1927 to Harry and Hattie (Ofe) Cooper in Seward, NE. The family moved to a farm north of Ewing where he lived with his parents, two brothers and three sisters.

He attended Ewing High School until 1943 when his family moved to a small acreage in southeast Oakdale. Keith attended Oakdale High School and graduated in 1945. After his graduation, he helped his father raise turkeys and also worked as a telegrapher for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad.

On January 13, 1951, he married Joyce Ann Brozek. To this union one son and three daughters were born. Keith left for duty in the Army on January 23, 1951. He took his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was one of 3 soldiers picked to attend Engineer School at Fort Hayes, Ohio. He returned to Granite City, Illinois where his unit was stationed. His unit was sent to Goose Bay, Labrador to build roads and airport runways. They returned to Illinois where he completed his tour of duty.

Upon his discharge on January 22, 1953, Keith received a special letter of commendation from his commanding officer, Douglas L. Thaxton, for his work, character, and good judgement.

Keith made lifelong friends with many of the men in his unit. He always tried to attend their yearly reunions until he was unable to do so. Keith and his wife Joyce still receive letters and phone calls from some of his army buddies. His buddies close by have been constant in their visits and encouragement.

When Keith returned home from his service tour of duty, they moved to a farm near Oakdale. He continued farming and also began working for the District 6 Antelope Co. Road Dept. In 1968, the family moved to Oakdale. He continued farming and working for Antelope County for 32 years.

In his spare time, Keith spent many hours playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also loved hunting, fishing and camping.

Keith spent most of his life in Public Service in one capacity or another.

He was President and served for many years on several school boards including the Oakdale School. He was a 60 plus year member of the Oakdale United Methodist Church and served several years on the Board of Trustees. Keith was a volunteer fireman for 21 years. He also served on the Cemetery Board.

In 1992, Keith was elected Supervisor of District 6 in Antelope County. He was re-elected again in 1997 for 4 more years.

Keith suffered a severe stroke in November 1999 and was very limited in his ability to get around. In November 2006, he moved to The Golden Living Center in Neligh.

Keith died Sunday, December 18, 2011 at Golden Living Center in Neligh, Nebraska.

Keith is survived by his daughters, Kathy and Ray Arends of Norfolk, NE, Carla and Dave Kallhoff of Elgin, NE, and Shari Ritter of Norfolk, NE; eight grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Ronald; son-in-law, John Ritter; parents, Harry and Hattie Cooper; one sister, Lois; and two brothers, Eugene and Paul.