Ardath Cooper

Ardath Delores Carter Cooper, age 96 passed away at her home on Thursday, April 16, 2015. She was born September 28, 1918 in Valley, Wisconsin to William and Hazel Carter. Ardath was a member of the Christian Church. She graduated from high school in Readstown and then from the Vernon County Teachers College in Viroqua. Ardath taught in the rural schools in Vernon and Richland Counties before her marriage to Clyde Cooper on May 31, 1942. After Clyde was discharged from the armed forces, they made their home in Monona, Wisconsin. In the home they built, they raised their five children: Vaughn, Brent, Mary Jo (Mark Holdsworth), Elaine (Roger Sander) and Kim (Duane Darling). Ardath lived in that home for over 67 years.
For 18 years, Ardath worked at the Wisconsin Department for the Developmentally Disabled helping to train those individuals in special skills to help enrich their lives. She helped Clyde and others set up a half-way house of care for alcoholics who had been institutionalized for alcoholism and were trying to reestablish themselves in society as sober individuals. Ardath did much of the cleaning, cooking and helping collect furnishings for the house to make a comfortable home for those men. Then when her son Vaughn became too sick with AIDS to take care of himself, she moved into his home and helped Brent's son Kevin care for him until his death.
Two of Ardath's hobbies were knitting sweaters for orphans in China and Mexico and tending to her flowers.
Besides her four remaining children, Ardath is survived by three grandsons, Kevin Cooper and Travis Cooper both of Madison, Frank Holdsworth of Rockford, Michigan and six great grandchildren, three are Travis' sons; two are Frank's children and one is Elaine's stepdaughter. Ardath was preceded in death by both of her parents, Clyde, her brother Vaughn Carter and his wife Olga, her son Vaughn Cooper, her brother Bob Carter and his wife Phyllis. Vaughn and Olga left two children, Mark Carter and Randi Carter-Smith. Bob and Phyllis also left two children, Glenna Carter and Billy Carter.
A celebration of her life will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3325 E. Washington Ave., Madison on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 11:00 am. A time to gather will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 am until the time of services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Ardath may be made to benefit orphans by sending checks to Back2Back Ministries, PO Box 70, Mason OH 45040.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Services
3325 E. Washington Ave., Madison
608-249-6666