“Hello Mary Lou!” is what the angels sang as they greeted our dear wife, mother, sister and friend through the gates of heaven on Monday, July 10th. She was born in Missoula to parents Glenn and Elsie Ailport, the fifth child of eleven siblings. She lived in and attended grade school in Clinton MT; then graduated from Missoula County High in 1954. Her early years were spent riding horses, helping raise her younger siblings, and exploring the mountains behind their home.
On September 18th, 1954, after a three year pen-pal romance, she met the love of her life in person when Samuel Cooper was discharged from the Army and went to Clinton to sweep her off her feet. They married on October 2nd, 1954, at the Little Stone Church in Columbus, MT. They enjoyed 62 years learning, living and loving each other.
Her boundless energy led her to the restaurant industry. She greeted and waited on customers at Bugs BBQ, then retired after an amazing 36 years with 4B’s. During that time, she supported Sam in his logging business, helped raise their four daughters, maintained their household, and contributed a little of her contagious positive attitude to this world.
Mary Lou’s interests, and hobbies were many. She loved to can, bake, make candies and fix dinner. She always had an apple pie, Aunt Rosie’s sour cream chocolate cake, or Aunt Grace’s Texas cream cheese cookies as a special treat on the counter for her family and friends. She was active with her bowling league, loved to garden and would whip you in a game of Cribbage or engage in a challenging game of Pinochle. She also loved to sing and dance and add life to the party! She enjoyed volunteering as a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, spending time with her beloved friends of the Red Hats, and her clogging buddies. Mary Lou loved keeping up with grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s lives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law Homer and Laura Cooper of Columbus, MT, brothers Theodore, Arthur and Thomas, baby sister Betty May, sons-in-law James Thiele and Duane Carlton, and brother-in-law John Cooper. She is survived by her husband of 62 years Samuel Cooper, brothers Larry (Barbara), Timothy and Bobby Gene (Joann), sisters JoAnne (Howard) Long, Rose Ann, Nancy (Charlie) Rodgers, brother-in-law Pete, sister-in-law Clara Torczon, daughters Cindy Carlton, Glenda Thiele, Patti Loewen (Robert Jackson), Beth Cooper, grandchildren Clint Carlton, Katie Carlton, Frank Loewen, Meagan Thiele, Matthew Thiele, and Colton Cooper-Davis, seven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 13th, 2-4 pm at the Garden City Funeral Home at Broadway and Mullan. Services will be on Friday, July 14th, at 3:00 pm with refreshments following.

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