Deloras Rae “Dee” Cooper, 82, of North Platte passed away May 17, 2025 at Linden Court. She was born April 7, 1943 to William and Vivian (Downing) Kautz in North Platte.
Dee grew up in Hershey and graduated from Hershey High School with the class of 1961. She attended Parks Business School in Denver, Colorado in 1962. She won the title of Miss Congeniality in the Miss NP Pageant.
Dee married Clayton Cooper on January 20, 1963 at First Methodist Church in Hershey. She worked for Les Satterfield Law office in North Platte where the couple lived until they moved to Denver for a few years. They moved back to North Platte in 1974 where they owned and operated Daylight Donuts until 1995. The building was turned into Looks Unlimited Hair Salon and was then sold in 2003 when Dee retired. Clay and Dee spent the winters in Apache Junction, Arizona.
Dee belonged to North Platte Berean Church. She enjoyed gambling at Rosebud and Blackhawk Casinos and gardening and growing flowers. She loved spending time with family and friends and was always the center of their activities. Dee showed her love by offering food and sitting down for a friendly chat making you feel very comfortable.
Survivors include children, Angie (Brent) Barker, Ben (Landy) Cooper of North Platte; grandchildren, Brittany (Jared) Thomsen of North Platte, Kinzey Cooper of North Platte, Brayden (Josie) Barker of North Platte, Kaden (fiancé Elli Prince) of Kearney; great grandchildren, Ty Kindig, Brynlee Thomsen, Paisley Barker; sister, Sharron Meston of North Platte; brother, Bill (Pam) Kautz of North Platte; numerous other family members and many friends.
Preceding her in death are parents, William and Vivian Kautz; husband, Clay Cooper; brother-in-law, Leroy Petersen.
Memorials are suggested to the family in Deloras’ memory. If you are sending flowers, please include a touch of purple as it was her favorite color. It was a small thing but it brought her joy. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be held 10:30 A.M., Thursday, May 22, 2025 at Berean Church with Reverend John Stone officiating. Inurnment will be held 1:00 P.M. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so noon-5:00, Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.