Gerald E. Cooper

June 5, 1943--Feb. 12, 2011

MINDEN, Nebraska -- Gerald E. Cooper, 67, died Saturday (Feb. 12, 2011) at Kearney County Health Systems Hospital in Minden. He was born June 5, 1943, in Chase County, Nebraska, to Clyde and Velma (Cecil) Cooper. He grew up in Hayes Center, Nebraska, and graduated from Hayes Center High School in 1961.

On Nov. 5, 1961, he married Wanda Eller and they lived and farmed in the Palisade, Nebraska area. He farmed until 1986, moving into Palisade in 1991 and then he drove truck. Wanda died in 1999 and he moved to Minden in 2008.

Survivors include his three daughters, Vicki Nelson and her husband, Brad of Axtell, Nebraska, Janette Cooper of Maui, Hawaii, and Tina Gregg of Lincoln, Nebraska; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Wanda; and his parents.

He was cremated.

Graveside services are Friday, 11 a.m., at the Palisade Cemetery.

Layton-Craig Funeral Home of Minden is in charge of arrangements.