MaryAnn (Gitthens) Cooper pushed her walker to the side, put on her high heels, and danced into heaven on October 7, 2025, at 87 years old.

MaryAnn was born in Whitney, Nebraska, on February 21, 1938.  She was delivered in her parents' home by her own grandmother, joining her older brother Richard.  MaryAnn's childhood was blessed, and she would often say her mother, Caroline, always knew she was up to no good, before she could even do anything wrong (but she NEVER did anything wrong).  MaryAnn was born a daddy's girl and took care of her father, Clifford Gitthens, up until his death in 1996.  Her bossy and fiery attitude is likely what kept him alive until he was 88 years old.

MaryAnn never backed down from a challenge.  At 16 years old, she met Donald Cooper at a skating rink.  A girl that Grandma didn't like had a crush on Donald, so MaryAnn took on the challenge and ended up marrying Donald 6 weeks later.  MaryAnn used to laugh and say the joke was on her because Donald was difficult to "train".  Together, Donald and MaryAnn raised 6 sons and 1 daughter.   Donald passed away in 2002.

MaryAnn's mother and grandmother were amazing cooks. MaryAnn would often be in the kitchen with them, learning all their secret skills.  This led MaryAnn to succeed in her own catering business called Ma's Catering, while also working for numerous restaurants and food businesses in Havre, MT.   MaryAnn attempted to retire 3 separate times, but I would like to focus on her constant need to talk and socialize, so she always returned to work.  She finally officially retired at the age of 75.

MaryAnn was highly efficient in calling things out for what they were, having no shame, flirting, and ensuring you knew she was always right.  MaryAnn told you the truth, well, her truth anyway, and never, ever hesitated in pushing all of us to do better, to be better.  We will forever hear her voice in our heads telling us what to do and how to do it, because "Mom/Grandma knows best," and to be honest, she was right.

MaryAnn loved going on Caribbean cruises, traveling to Las Vegas to watch shows, she traveled to Europe, and loved "snow birding" in Arizona with her son.  She also enjoyed the Red Hat Club, attending community events, Wednesday Senior Center gatherings, and Sunday breakfast at Chars with friends.

Family was everything to MaryAnn, and family wasn't always blood related.  You would hear numerous people in the community calling her "Ma" or "Grandma" because she had a way of truly making you feel welcome and loved as much as her own family.   Her greatest treasure was becoming a grandmother; she bragged to anyone she met of how proud she was of her grandkids and great-grandchildren.

MaryAnn was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Cooper; sons, Robert and Rodney Cooper; brother, Richard; her parents; all of her cousins; and her great-granddaughter, Meghan Okon.  MaryAnn joins her best friends, Inga and Carmen.  Even though her friends and family were profoundly missed in this lifetime, she truly couldn't wait to see her dog Ladybug in heaven.

MaryAnn is survived by her sons Randy (Veronica), Ronald (Nona), Richard, and Russell Cooper; her daughter, Rochelle Cooper; and grandchildren, Clifford (Brittani), Bridget, Dezerae (Cody), Josh (Anastasia), Jacob (Cristal), Sarah (Scott), and Robbie.  Grandma also has 10 great-grandchildren and so many friends that she considered family.  Additionally, she leaves behind a ton of items we have no idea what to do with, if you are looking for empty milk cartons, washed out zip lock bags, cords that attach to 1970s electronics, old and used lipsticks, and cans of food that expired in 1999, let the family know.

Thank you for guiding and teaching us all we need to know, Grandma. We will take it from here…...

A celebration of life will occur in the Spring of 2026.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.