Mary Lu Cooley
Mary Lu Cooley, 94, passed away on Friday, July 30, 2021.
She was born on Sept. 25, 1927, to Berneice and Samuel Wood. She spent her childhood living in rural Mt. Hope, and graduated from Mt. Hope High School in 1945. After graduating, she began working as a nurse’s aide at New San Hospital in Prairie du Chien, and met the love of her life, Eugene Cooley, as he returned home from serving in WWII. They were married Feb. 9, 1948, at Mt. Hope, and began their married life living in Bagley. Their daughter, Janean, was born May 19, 1949. In 1950, they moved to Woodman, where they made their home and spent the rest of their lives together. Their son, Roger, joined the family June 30, 1952. In 1958, Mary Lu began working at Druck’s Department Store in Boscobel, and in 1966 at JC Penney, where she was employed until its closing in 1987. She then went back to Southwest Wisconsin Technical College and obtained her CNA license. Mary Lu worked as a CNA at Boscobel Nursing Home until her retirement in 2011 (age 84). She enjoyed both jobs and made many lifelong friends. Mary Lu was a homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother first, but she was also very active with church, GFWC Women’s Club, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She and Gene enjoyed dancing, boating, and Badger football games, all while getting together with family and friends. Their connections to their many, many friends were incomparable, and cherished.
Mary Lu is survived by her son, Roger (Sharon) of Cedar Park, Texas; grandchildren, Melissa (Mendim) Tairi of Prairie du Chien, Sara (Steve) Cooley Broschart of Mercer Island, Wash., Todd (Tanya) Miller of Woodman, and Eric (Katie) Cooley of Avondale, Pa.; great-grandchildren, Kayla Rupp, Ella Smith, Tyler, Tatum, Taryn, and Tyson Miller, Brooks and Harper Cooley, and Dean Broschart; brothers, Gary Wood, Bob (Sharon) Wood, and Al (Janet) Wood; sister, Sandy (Bernie) Knesting; sister-in-law, Caroline Wood; son-in-law, Mike Miller; and special friends Deanna Shimpach, Noreen Clark, and Donna King; along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gene; dear daughter, Janean; brother, Gerald; her parents, Sam and Berniece Wood; and parents-in-law, Elgie and Roxa Cooley.
A public viewing and visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Kendall Funeral Home in Boscobel. Private family services will take place on Saturday, with burial at the Bagley cemetery. All family and friends are invited and encouraged to attend a Celebration of Life for both Gene and Mary Lu at the Boscobel Bowl and Banquet on Saturday, Aug. 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations on behalf of Mary Lu be made to the organizations of her choosing: Woodman First Responders, Village of Woodman Park, and Boscobel Rescue Squad.
