Linda Mae Cooper, 79, died peacefully in her home on June 21, 2024.
Linda was born in Holland, Michigan, in 1945 to parents Carl and Lillian Seif. She graduated from Holland High School before pursuing administrative studies at Ferris State University.
Marriage led her to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she was a dedicated and amazing mom to her children, Jim and Amy Cooper. She took pride in raising her kids and making sure they always had a happy home. She was active in many women’s groups and clubs, and made time for tennis, bowling, and arts and crafts. Whether it was painting fire hydrants, making cornhusk dolls, or hosting the neighborhood cookie exchange, Linda was always creative and always had a project in the works.
Ultimately, as a single mom, Linda returned to school and became a certified radiology technician through one of the first graduating classes of the Borgess School of Radiology in Kalamazoo. She spent the bulk of her career at the Borgess ProMed facility in Portage, where she was promoted through the years to supervisor of the radiology department. She took her position very seriously and was committed to ensuring the department functioned at its very best.
Though her career was challenging, Linda never let it detract from her first priority, her kids. She continued to make sure Jim and Amy were happy and cared for, always.
After retiring, Linda returned to Holland and reconnected with local friends and family. She had an active social life, always meeting friends for coffee, seeking adventures with her sister, or going on her weekly antiquing outings. Her projects continued, and there was always a treasure to discover, bring home, restore, and bring new life to. She was able to turn beat-up, disregarded furniture that no one wanted, into adorable creations that suddenly everyone wanted. Linda’s talent and artistry always found a way to come out.
In recent years, heart troubles made projects more challenging, but they never slowed her down. Days before her passing, she had finished painting a new trellis for her porch and was already looking for the next thing she could turn her attention to.
The projects were never ending, just like her love for her children and her children’s children. She was always interested in their lives and wanted them to know that she loved them and was thinking about them.
She will be remembered for how much she made people matter, and for the many memories she left behind.
She is preceded in death by her brother, Carl Seif.
She is survived by her son, James and Angie Cooper; daughter, Amy and David Jakober; grandchildren, Nicholas Cooper, Nathan and Alyssa Cooper, Caitlyn Cooper, Ashley Landman, Ben Landman, Kelby Jakober, Jack Jakober; and sister, Mary Ann and Phil Van Huis.
Visitation with the family is 4:00-6:00 pm on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at Langeland Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St. Holland, MI 49423.
In lieu of flowers, the family would kindly ask that donations be given to a charity of your choice.
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