Lois Cooperrider

STERLING -Lois Frances Rosbrook Cooperrider, 94, of Sterling, died May 31, 2015 at Sterling Pavilion. Lois was born Nov 8, 1920 at Dixon Public Hospital, Dixon, IL. Her parents were Morris L. “Choppy” Rosbrook and S. Ellen (Myers) Rosbrook. Lois was baptized, confirmed and an active member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dixon until marriage. Lois attended south side Dixon schools, graduating Dixon High School, class of 1938. Lois was employed by Roberts & Hess Distributors from 1938 – 1948. Lois married the Rev. Luther H. Cooperrider on June 13, 1948. For 25 years (1948 – 1973) Lois and Lu shared family life in churches and schools in Nachusa, Pearl City/Kent, Mt. Morris and Sterling. After Lu’s death in July, 1973, Lois was employed part-time at Sauk Valley College Bookstore and St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Lois continued to be an active member at St. John’s in Sterling after her retirement. Survivors include one sister, Mary Ellen Lesher (West Des Moines, IA); four children: Joel Cooperrider (Merce Morataya) of Huntington Beach, CA; Ruth Cooperrider (Randy Clark) of Urbandale, IA; Paul (Cindy) Cooperrider of Garden City, ID; and Ellen Cooperrider (Jason Jiandani) of Boynton Beach, FL; daughter-in-law Julie Cooperrider of Sterling, IL; grandchildren Joelle, Lucas, Jaclyn, Emma, and step-grandchild Corey Shipma. Lois was preceded in death by her husband, her son Neil, her parents, and her sister Marguerite Arndt. Lois was blessed to have a very helpful circle of friends and “extended families” of Rosbrooks and Cooperriders. She enjoyed spending time with the Cooperrider clan at Spooner Lake, Wisconsin. She was one of the founders of what later became the F.I.S.H. Food Pantry and remained a volunteer until 2014. She was also involved with the Meals on Wheels program and the Twin Cities PADS Homeless Shelter program. Visitation will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sterling on Thursday, June 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and the Memorial Service will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Friday, June 5, at 11:00 a.m., with the Reverend Mark Oehlert officiating. Arrangements were made by Schilling Funeral Home, Sterling. Memorial contributions may be given to the F.I.S.H. Food Pantry of Sterling, IL. Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com.