Orla Clarice Cooper

Orla Clarice (Edmonson) Cooper passed from us on June 30th, 2024. Clarice, who always asked to be called Clarice instead of Orla, was born September 18, 1934, in Harrison, Arkansas where she graduated from Harrison High School. Finding employment with an attorney she attended certificate courses in stenography.

Her skill with stenography earned her employment with Bendix Corporation, Kansas City division where she remained employed over 30 years until her retirement.

Clarice was married to Auburn F. Cooper Jr. on the 10th of October 1964 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Together they loved to travel the United States visiting national parks, historic sites, and family. Clarice joined Auburn in his love of bird watching. Together they listed several hundred different species as they traveled. 

They both loved food! And the love of food was connected to gardening. They both loved to grow vegetables and different varieties of vegetables were a delight. The love brought them to the Seed Savers Exchange founding meeting in 1975. 

Clarice will be best remembered for her love of family, and she constantly searched for ancestors, amassing thousands of names and building a huge family tree.

She was always looking for new friends and was loyal to each of them often extending her means and time to edify and express love to them.

Clarice was preceded in death by her husband, Auburn F. Cooper Jr., and her youngest son Howard F. Cooper. 

She is survived by her son Ernest Cooper and his wife Stephanie, ten grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 11 from 6 to 6:50 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 7845 Allman Rd., Lenexa, Kansas. The visitation will be followed by a memorial service in the chapel beginning at 7 pm.

Burial will be Friday, July 12 at Leavenworth National Cemetery.