MILDRED O. COOPER was born October 8, 1919, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Ray and Smilja (Vladitch) Obradovich. She passed away Wednesday, September 7, 2011, at Midlands Community Hospital in Papillion, Nebraska, at the age of 91 years, 11 months, succumbing to cancer after living a long and rewarding life.

Mildred grew up in Omaha, graduated from Benson High School and the University of Nebraska Omaha with a degree in education. Mildred taught school and after WWII began, she worked in the bomber plant at Offutt Air Base. Mildred joined the Women’s Army Air Corp and served at San Diego, California and London, England until the war ended.

On July 31, 1947, Mildred married James R. Cooper in Las Vegas, Nevada. They lived in Omaha until 1955, when they purchased a small café in Decatur, Nebraska. Mildred and Jim then founded and operated the Green Lantern Steak House until 1985. The Green Lantern became a center for the local area and continues to do so today. Mildred later worked in several retail businesses and retired at the age of 88 years.

Mildred was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Decatur. She was also a member of VFW Gleason-Rogers Post No. 6926 and American Legion Rogers-Crum Post No. 215.

Mildred’s most precious moments were when she was sharing her love of God and when her entire family was around her. You did not visit with Mildred without hearing God’s Word and an “I love you” when you left her presence.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim; son, James Jr., several brothers and sisters.

Survivors include her son, Robert Cooper and wife, Billie of Plattsmouth, NE; daughter, Roberta Sieck and husband, Jerry of Oakland; son, David Cooper and partner, Scott Steen of West Virginia; four granddaughters, Heidi Sieck of Cambridge, MA, Kimberly (Erik) Nord,  Kelly (Mike) Hudson all of Omaha, Shannon (Kevin) Pullen ofColorado; five great grandchildren; and sister, Mary Nemec and husband, Michel of Omaha.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, September 10, 2011, 10:00 a.m., First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oakland.

VISITATION: Friday 4 – 8 p.m., family receiving friends 6 – 8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. Prayer Service at the funeral home in Oakland. Visitation will be held Saturday at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur, NE with Military Honors by VFW Gleason-Rogers Post No. 6926 and American Legion Rogers-Crum Post No. 215.

MEMORIALS: First Ev. Lutheran Church, Oakland, Trinity Lutheran Church, Decatur.

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

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