Bernice M. Cooper

 Bernice Mae Cooper, age 80, of Patch Grove, died on Saturday, February 4, 2012, at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital. She was born on December 23, 1931, in Seneca, the daughter of Ernest and Cynthia (Heisz) Messling. Bernice graduated from Seneca High School in 1949. On January 13, 1950, Bernice was united in marriage to Harry V. Cooper in Colorado Springs, CO. She was employed as a postal clerk at the Patch Grove Post Office for many years. Bernice was a member of the Patch Grove United Methodist Church. She enjoyed trapping, fishing, deer hunting, canning, gardening and playing Bingo. Bernice also enjoyed collecting angels and Mickey Mouse memorabilia.

Survivors include her six children: Dennis (Alfiya) Cooper, Mt. Hope; Rickie Cooper, Prairie du Chien; Janice (Larry) Rider, Prairie du Chien; Pamela (Randy) Dressler, Prairie du Chien; Jackie (Sylvia) Cooper, Millville; Connie (Alan) Ruff, Farmersburg, IA; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; a sister, Julia Larmore, Platteville; one brother, Robert (Ruth Ann) Messling, Mt. Sterling; and sisters-in-law, Marilyn Messling, Prairie du Chien; Rita Messling, Viroqua.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Bernice was preceded in death by five brothers: Paulie, Calvin Kelly, Edwin Buddy, Roger, and Ronnie Messling; a sister, Harriet M. Jeidy; and an infant sister, Helen.

Funeral services were held on  Friday, February 10, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Mt. Hope with Pastor Mary Ann Floerke officiating. Burial was be in Blakes Prairie Cemetery, Bloomington Township. Family and friends called on Friday, from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Bernice M. Cooper Memorial Fund has been established. Martin Funeral Home in Bloomington is assisting the family.