Marie Ursula Cooper,age 93, passed away July 2, 2014 at St .Lukes Hospice House. She had lived the previous year at Wilshire at Lakewood in Lees Summit, MO.
Born to Rosa and Dietrich Leucinger on August 11, 1920, in an area of Southwest Wisconsin that was home to many Swiss immigrants, Ursula was the fifth of six children. One sister, Susanne Walulik , survives. Ursula was proud to be a first generation American. After her fathers passing in 1922, Rosa struggled to learn English and provide for her family. As was common at the time, the children were often sent out to work for others. All the children were greatly successful in their adult lives.
Ursula attended Darlington, Wisconsin schools and spent one year at Whitewater College. In 1939 Ursula Married Julius Russell Cooper who preceded her in death in 1992. Her long time companion, Bill Hinthorn, of Peoria Illinois, also preceded her in death.
In her many years of marriage Ursula lived in LaHarpe and Adair Illinois. A move in 1960 to Valparaiso , Indiana
changed their lives. In 1966 A move to Blue Springs, Missouri brought them closer to their retirement years . In 1985 Ursula and Russ moved to Mission, Texas. Ursula moved to Lees Summit, Missouri in 2005 to be close to family.
Ursula was a stay at home mother for most of her children’s growing up years. After moving to Missouri Ursula worked many years in the delicatessen for Milgrams Grocery Chain, retiring in 1985. She also volunteered at Mission Hospital.
Ursula was a long time member of Eastern Star beginning her membership in Table Grove, Illinois
Ursula is survived by three of her five children. Sandra Surls, Jean Hunt (Curtis), and Ruth Lundblad.
Two of her children preceded her in death, Janice Kramus (Bruce) and James Cooper (Yvonne).
Ursula is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and 8 great great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held August 9th at 10:00 am in LaHarpe, Illinois. A luncheon will follow at 11: 00 AM at Country Cafe in LaHarpe. Banks and Beals Funeral Home, LaHarpe, IL is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at banksandbeals.com.
James “Jim” Arthur Nagel, 87, of Burlington, died at 8:42 PM Friday, August 1, 2014, at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington.
Born April 29, 1927, in Muscatine, he was the son of Drew and Vera E. Phipps Nagel. On September 10, 1949, he married Mary Jane Strong at St. Katherine’s Chapel in Davenport.
Jim worked as a police officer for the Davenport Police Department for seven years and also was a Realtor for his mother’s realty company, Meyer Realty in Davenport. He than began his career with Boy Scouts of America, beginning as a field executive for the Overland Trails Council and also with the Rocky Mountain Council. He then became field director with the Mid America Council (Omaha) and was Council Executive with Southeast Iowa Council for 19 years, before retiring in 1989. He was involved in scouting for over 80 years.
He graduated from Davenport Central High School and St. Ambrose College in Davenport.
He was a U.S. Navy Veteran, stationed in Hawaii during World War II.
After retiring Jim directed his passions towards the Masonic organization. He was a 63 year member of the Masonic lodge, both in Burlington and Davenport. He was Past Master of Des Moines Lodge No. 1, Malta Lodge No. 318, and Patriot Lodge No. 650, all of Burlington. He was Past Grand High Priest in 2005 and 2006 of the grand chapter Royal Arch Masons of Iowa. He served as Grand High Priest State Chapter of York Rite, Grand Treasury Chapter of York Rite as well as numerous other Masonic organizations.
He attended Sunnyside Avenue Baptist Church in Burlington. He was a member of Burlington Elks Lodge #84, American Legion Holtz-Geers Post 668 in West Point, and as a kid belonged to the YMCA where he taught swimming lessons. He was also a past member of Rotary Club. Jim was an avid coin collector, enjoyed being outdoors, animals, reading about history, and loved people.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane, one daughter, Nancy (Jim) Rogers of Lake of the Ozarks, MO; one grandson, Marcello Rogers; and four nieces and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Mary O’Connell.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Thielen Crematory.
The Masonic service for Mr. Nagel will be 2:00 PM, Thursday, August 7, 2014, at Thielen Funeral Home with full military honors rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. The public is invited to attend the Masonic service. Burial will be in Keokuk National Cemetery at a later date. A time of cake and coffee will be held in the community room at Thielen Funeral Home following the military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Mississippi Valley Boy Scouts Council and Des Moines County Humane Society.
Thielen Funeral Home & Crematory is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Jim’s obituary at www.thielenfuneralhome.com.
