Cooprider, Viola Barbara Yoder (1881-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jun 11 p. 6

Birth date: 1881 Oct 20

text of obituary:

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— Funeral services for Mrs. Viola Cooprider, 71, widow of Thomas J. Cooprider, were held Saturday forenoon at the Hesston College chapel, Rev. Ivan Lind in charge. Mrs. Cooprider, a resident of Hesston for 30 years, died Wednesday, June 3, at the Wesley Hospital in Wichita after a long illness. She is survived by two daughters, Eva Cooprider of Hesston and Mrs. Orpha Hershberger of McPherson; two sons, Reuben of Norwalk, Calif, and Paul of Wichita; two stepsons, Ross Cooprider of Hesston and Irl Cooprider of Newton; and one stepdaughter, Mrs. M. D. Miller of Middlebury, Ind. Three sisters, three brothers, 12 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great great-grandchild also survive.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jun 18 p. 9

text of obituary:

MRS. VIOLA COOPRIDER

Viola Barbara Yoder Cooprider was born October 20, 1881, in Nappanee, Indiana. She was the oldest child of Reuben C. Yoder and Maggie Bontrager Yoder, who came to Kansas to make their home when she was one year old.

She was married to Thomas J. Cooprider November 5, 1905 at La Junta, Colorado. They established their home on a farm in McPherson county, near Inman, Kansas. The family has resided in Hesston since 1919. Father Cooprider passed away in February 1944. Mother became a member of the West Liberty Mennonite church, transferring her membership to the Hesston College congregation.

Her home reflected her diligence and hospitality. A lover of God's outdoors, she spent much of her lifetime with her flowers and garden. The last years of her life were centered around her grandchildren.

Previous to her illness which followed major surgery on January 3, 1953, she had experienced the blessings of good health. She willingly accepted her illness, but often expressed a desire "to go Home" where she would have relief from her sufferings. Death came peacefully the evening of June 3 of coronary thrombosis.

The immediate survivors are two daughters and two sons: Eva E. of Hesston, who shared the home, Orpha and Ezra S. Hershberger of McPherson, Reuben and Jessie Cooprider of Norwalk, Calif., Paul and Lydia Cooprider of Wichita; two step-sons and one step-daughter, Ross and Carrie Cooprider of Hesston, Irl and Lissie Cooprider of Newton, and Bessie, Mrs. M. D. Miller, of Middlebury, Indiana; twelve grandchildren, four great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

The funeral services were conducted Saturday morning June 6 1953, in the Hesston College chapel by Ivan Lind, assisted by John Landis. During the service, a letter written by the absent son Reuben, was read. A mixed octet sang "My God and I" and "Heaven is My Home," which expressed Mother's testimony. Interment was made in the Zimmerdale cemetery.