Randy "Coop" W. Cooper

Randy W. "Coop" Cooper, 68, passed away May 18, 2026, in Hastings, NE surrounded by loved ones.

Randy was born April 23, 1958, in West Bend, Iowa, the son of the late Donald and Wilma (Henely) Cooper.

From an early age, Randy stood out as a star athlete. He earned numerous medals in track and field and was widely celebrated for his talent and achievements in both football and baseball. Some may even say he was the best wide receiver in West Bend High School history. Following graduation in 1976, Randy attended Iowa Lakes Community college, majoring in Municipal Recreation and Resource Management. There, he met his former roommate and lifelong friend, Rick Sobotka. The two played baseball together and even spent a summer living in Nevada, where they played for the Nevada Men's town baseball team. They shared countless memories both on and off the field, before transferring to Mankato State, where Randy met his first wife, Kimberly O'Hara. They were married in 1980. Together they had two daughters, Sara and Katie.

After their marriage, Randy found happiness in the life he built in Emmetsburg, IA. He spent countless hours remodeling his home on Call Street and rarely went unnoticed around town in his signature red Ford Probe. As co-owner of Emmetsburg Lumber & Supply, Inc., Randy took pride in his work and being part of a community he loved, all while balancing life as a dedicated father and loyal friend. It was also in Emmetsburg that he met the love of his life, Bobbi. They were married on December 14, 1996. Together they had daughter Mayce, in 1997. With his marriage to Bobbi, he gained three bonus daughters: Jamie, Sara and Bailey. In 1998, Randy and Bobbi moved to Olathe, Kansas, where he worked as a Buyer for Kansas City Millwork, before ultimately moving to Hastings, NE in 2012. Randy spent 11 years working for Jacobi's Carpet One before his retirement in 2025.

Randy's love for sports stayed with him his entire life. Whether it was golfing with friends, (or competing for the 'Cooper Cup', with family), fishing on the lake with his girls, snowmobiling across Iowa, bowling, playing softball, or cheering at Royals games, he was happiest just being out doing the things he loved, with the people he loved most.

To know Randy was to love him. He was the ultimate "girl dad" and loved the simple things in life; his girls, his family and friends, his Iowa Hawkeyes, the KC Royals and an ice-cold Diet Pepsi in his favorite cup- you would rarely find him without a cig or sweets nearby, a Hawkeye hat on his head and usually wearing some version of a Hawkeye, Chiefs or Royals sweatshirt or t-shirt.

As the years went on Randy found peace in the quiet moments- and even more joy in the not-so- quiet ones he spent with his beloved grandchildren who adored him and thought of him as their best friend. He enjoyed early morning birdwatching, tending to his fruit trees, spending time in the garden and keeping busy with various house projects. More recently, he had taken on a love of collecting and listening to vinyl records. He was a man of few words, but his love was deeply felt by those closest to him.

Randy was met in heaven by his wife, Bobbi Cooper; parents, Donald and Wilma (Henely) Cooper and brothers, Robert and Gary Cooper.

He is lovingly remembered and will be deeply missed by his daughters; Sara (Barry) Mahaffey, Katie (Brad) Kreiss, Mayce Cooper (Braden Schumm), Jamie Ellis, Sara (Travis) Lowery and Bailey (Tyler) Holton; 19 grandchildren: Alex, Landon, Tristan, Brooklynn, Savanna, Layla, Sophie, Aliyah, Zoey, Liam, Jackson, Teagan, Carter, Barrett, Charlie, Tommy, Tatum, Kinsley and Sammy; sister, Nancy (Mike) House; Mother and Father In-Law Carol and Jerry Mulford; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Adams County Fairgrounds in Hastings, NE.