Merton Eugene Cooper

Merton Eugene Cooper entered eternal life on November 2, 2021 at Maranantha Care Center. Mert was born September 28, 1928 to Lloyd and Marie (Chamberlain) Cooper in Hamilton Township, Minnesota. A birth injury limited the use of his right arm, a restriction that he handled with grace and dignity. He spent many months of his childhood to Gillette Children’s Hospital.

Mert attended county school until junior high. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1947 along with his sister, Mary. He participated in debate and dramatical productions there. Mert was a proud alumnus of the University of Minnesota, graduating in January of 1952. He began work at International Nutrition following graduation.

Mert married Gloria Borgen in Red Wing, Minnesota on July 5, 1952. The couple moved to Wabasha, Minnesota where Mert started his career in food science at International Milling. In 1969 the family moved to New Hope, Minnesota when Mert started a new job. In 1970 he began a new job at Precision Foods, which eventually became part of Sandoz Nutrition. He retired from Sandoz in December 1993.

Mert enjoyed reading, gardening, solving the Crytoquip in the newspaper, golf, and following the football Gophers. He never turned down a piece of pie, cake or other sweet. He was noted for his oyster stew on Christmas.

Mert’s faith was important to him. He rarely missed worship and was active at House of Hope Lutheran where he served on many boards and played in the bell choir. He volunteered at lutefisk dinner until his health prohibited work.

Mert was preceded in death by wife, Gloria; parents, Lloyd and Marie Cooper; sister, Lila Anderson; and daughter-in-law, Rebecca (Heil) Cooper. He is survived by his sister, Mary Goldis; and brother, Jerry Cooper; children, Susan, Steven, Bruce (Melodie) and Paul; grandchildren, Rachel (Aaron) Roberts and Ross Cooper; and great-grandchildren, Owen and Eden Roberts.

Funeral services will be held Thursday November 11, 2021 at 11:00 AM (Visitation 10:00 AM) at House of Hope Lutheran Church, 4800 Boone Ave. N., New Hope Minnesota with Visitation on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 from 5-7 PM at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel, 3888 West Broadway, Robbinsdale Minnesota. Memorials preferred to House of Hope Lutheran Church.

We will miss you Dad.