Our beloved sister, aunt, and great-aunt, Patricia “Patty” Cooper, passed peacefully with family by her side on March 22 after a long illness.

Patty was born on December 20, 1952, in Rochester, Minnesota, to Russell and Phyllis Cooper. The second of five kids, she grew up in a world of imagination and mischief—building forts, waging backyard “wars” against the boys, splashing in the creek, and making regular trips to the Diamond B Horse Ranch. It was the kind of childhood that shaped her lifelong spirit of independence and fun.

She attended Mayo High School, where she was a bright student with a creative streak and a talent for pottery. After graduating in 1971, she began working as a nurse’s aide at St. Mary’s Hospital. In true Patty fashion, she didn’t stay still for long—by the spring of 1974, she packed up with her best friend and headed to Decorah, Iowa, where new adventures awaited. She later returned to be near family in the Balsam Lake area in 1978.

In 1997, Patty followed her heart back to nursing and earned her RN. She worked for several years at Osceola Medical Center, where her kindness, humor, and steady care meant so much to the people around her. That same compassion extended to her family, where she used her nursing skills to care for her dad at the end of his life, surrounding him with the same comfort and love she gave so many others.

But if you ask anyone, Patty’s most important role was being “Auntie Patty.” And she was the best. She didn’t just love her nieces and nephews—she celebrated them. There were shopping trips, sleepovers, little surprises, and big adventures, but what mattered most was how she made each person feel: seen, special, and completely loved. She was the one you could call anytime, for anything, and she would always be there.

Patty had an eye for beauty and a flair for style that was entirely her own. She loved beautiful things and was always perfectly put together—effortless, elegant, and just a little bit glamorous. Her signature presence was unmistakable; the soft trail of her perfume lingering in a store was often all it took for us to know she had been there.

Her creativity also came to life through her sewing. She was an exceptional seamstress, making dresses for her sister and nieces and crafting beautiful linens, runners, potholders, and handmade touches that made everyday life feel special. Her love of sewing lives on in her nieces, who carry forward the creativity and care she so generously shared.

Patty also found joy in creating beauty in her surroundings. She loved decorating for the seasons and holidays, filling her home with warmth and charm, and creating beautiful flowerpots that she tended with care. She especially loved watching her flowers grow and the hummingbirds come to visit.

She lived life on her own terms, with a free spirit, a strong will, and a generous heart. She brought warmth, laughter, and a little sparkle wherever she went.

Patty leaves behind a family who adored her and countless memories that will continue to make us smile. She will be missed more than words can say—but we will carry her with us in every laugh, every story, and every hint of perfume that makes us stop and think, “That’s Patty.”

Patty is preceded in death by her parents, Phyllis and Russell Cooper.

She will be lovingly remembered by her siblings, Maxine Florer, Jeff (Tina) Cooper, Steve (Carolyn) Cooper, and Stephanie (Dave) Lindholm; her much-loved nieces and nephews, Jason, Matthew, Olivia, Sophia, Samuel, and Hannah (children of Maxine); Sheena and Shannon (children of Jeff); Adam and Nina (children of Steve); and Amanda and Tyler (children of Stephanie); as well as many great-nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be planned for later this spring—just as she would have liked, surrounded by stories, laughter, and love.

Last Update: Mar 26, 2026 8:51 am CDT