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Richard “Rick” John Cooper, age 81 of Hugo, MN passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 28, 2024. He was born in St. Paul, MN the son of Bill and Bertha (Schurmeier) Cooper. Rick was a proud graduate of Johnson High School class of 1961. After school, he married his high school sweetheart (Judy Wortman, 1943 – 2001) and moved to New Richmond, WI in 1967 to start their new life together in the restaurant business; A&W Root Beer Stand and The Kozy Korner. After the restaurant business, he moved into sales including the Sears Franchise and Bernards Northtown Car Dealership. Rick and Judy had 3 children.
Rick is survived by his wife Sharon Gerten-Cooper, Gary Cooper (Michele Salo), Greg Cooper and Michelle Majewski (Mark), David and Becca Gerten, Tony and Missy Chesak; amongst 9 grandchildren Alyssa, Amelia, Mya, Marin, Madison, Ava, Stephen, Jackson and Tyler. He brought so much joy to the grandkids as he spent countless hours cheering from the sideline: soccer, dance, hockey, basketball, football, baseball and tennis. He was dearly loved by his greater family including sister in-laws, and several nieces and nephews who referred to him as the “Favorite Uncle”.
Rick was also blessed with an enormous amount of life-long New Richmond friends who he cherished spending time with playing cribbage, golfing, hunting and simply enjoying the beautiful outdoors. He was absolutely loved by all and enjoyed being a caring and giving person to the NR community. His smile was radiant and hugs so very memorable. His memory will live in our hearts and his legacy of kindness, love and giving will never be forgotten.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 1:00PM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (151 South Washington Avenue New Richmond, WI 54017) with a visitation starting at 11:00AM. Interment is in Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery in New Richmond. A Luncheon will follow the Mass. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
23 Comments
We are so sorry for your loss. Rick was simply really great guy with a beaming beautiful smile that lit up a room and the hearts of those he looked at. He was loved and will be dearly missed. Love to you and your families, Damon & Lori Sharretts
I just saw him last week at the grocery store and he remembered me from high school! It touched my heart that he remembered me. We always went to his restaurant on Friday nights. Rest in peace you beautiful soul
Beautiful words for a beautiful soul! We will miss our kind friend! Our sympathy to the Cooper family.
So sorry for your loss he was a great man.
I remember working for him at Kozy Korner.
Rick was a dear friend for over 50 years. We have so many wonderful memories of our great times together. He was so fortunate to have been married to two wonderful women, Judy and Sharon. Our deepest sympathy to Sharon and Rick’s children Michelle, Gary and Greg and their respective families.
Rick was my cousin. His kindness, love, charm will be forever missed. He was not only handsome but gracious and kind to a fault. Rick, you will be truly missed.
We meet so many people in our lifetimes and some people we just never forget. Rick was one of them. My wife reads the obituaries daily (she’s weird) and she asked me if I knew him. I asked, is it Kozy Korner Richard (Rick) Cooper. She said yep, that is what it says here. I said he was such a great guy with a smile that people would love to own the rights to. He always treated us so well when we were in high school (we ate at Kozy Korner often) because it was “the place” to go after football games. Sympathies to the family. Just know, the memories we hold of Rick are nothing but wonderful!
Rick was a wonderful guy we bought main vehicles from him at Bernards gods blessings
Rick was my first boss in 1985. He was kind, funny, and patient. Many fond memories of making pizzas and listening to him tell stories. My condolences to the family.
We loved Rick for many reasons. He was just who he was; kind, gentle, authentic, happy, loving, and the best storytelling of all time. He always had a smile on his face no matter what he was facing. We will miss him very much. Life won’t quite be the same, but if we take all the GOOD he gave us, life will be a better place, all thanks to Rick. Hit-em straight my friend and sink every putt. You deserve it.
If you grew up in New Richmond, WI in the 70’s and 80’s, you knew Rick Cooper. Whether it was riding bikes to the A&W after a little league win, or hanging out at Kozy Korner after the Friday night movies at The Gem Theater, you knew Rick Cooper. Some of us were lucky to know him and Judy as close family friends, including us kids. Who would ever forget Judy rounding up Gary, Greg, and Michelle with “COOPER Kids! After some form of family get-togethers at picnics, cookouts, hockey or softball games. Our biggest sympathies from the Drill Family to you Sharon, Gary, Greg, and Michelle and all your families. Such wonderful and vivid memories of our childhood. RIP Rick. Well done.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. What a great guy to know.
This one hits close to home. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Rick for all of my life and I can truly say that he is what exemplifies a good man: kind, big hearted, and always had a smile and a joke up his sleeve. My Mom and Dad were close friends with Rick and Judy for many years. When you think of Kozy Korner you think of Rick Cooper. He was everyone’s friend and brought joy to those around him. Every time I went to Bernard’s I looked forward to spending a good amount of time with him catching up with life. Thanks for the memories Rick and it was a pleasure knowing a true human being. Sending condolences, prayers, and strength to Sharon, Michelle and Mark, Gary, and Greg.
Chris and Candy Olson
Coming into New Richmond as an “outsider”, Rick and Judy both welcomed me with open arms. Always felt like I’d grown up there with all the other kids when I was around them. Rest in peace, Rick. Love to the Coopers and Majewski’s ❤️
Dear Sharon, Gary, Greg, Michelle and extended family,
Please accept my sincerest sympathy on the passing of Rick. My life was made richer by my association of numerous NR folks like the Cooper’s, Cox’s, Krueger’s, Drill’s, Baillargeon’s, Polfus’s, just to name a few! RIP Rick knowing that you left this place far better then you found it!
We met Rick when he came into Sharon’s life. It was always a pleasure to be around him as he would light up the conversation and the room when he was present. We will always remember his energy and big smile! Our condolences to Sharon and the children, their spouses and the grandchildren who will miss him the most.
So many business memories with Rick when he owned the A & W. I was a cashier at Kocians in those early days and then eventually my husband Bill and I purchased Kocians. Bill and Rick were great business neighbors. Spent many hours chatting about everything
When my husband Bill was killed in a motorcycle accident back in 1988 Rick came to the wake. He stood in the doorway …caught my eye and shook his head. He came to the store a few days later to explain why he did that. He said “I took one look at you and thought of your 3 small kiss and I just couldn’t make myself go thru the door”. I took no offense and felt that his sensitivity showed his character. Rest in peace Rick.
*kids
So very sorry for your loss. It is a hard time of year. Hopefully he sends little bits of love in ways you know he is still surrounding you with his spirit.
I just heard yesterday of Rick’s passing and very sorry that I missed the funeral and the opportunity to express my deepest sympathies in person to Gary, Greg, and Michele. My dad, Wayne Dahl, worked at Kozy Korner for both Floyd and Rick. I was a pizza maker for Rick on and off for over ten years. Rick was like a father to me during those years! My brother Craig also made pizzas for Rick. Craig and I bricked up the windows on the south side of Kozy and then painted it all. We also helped renovate the A&W when he got it back. Rick was always there when I needed him. Rick and Cindy catered our wedding reception on very short notice. Rick was a dear friend and will be missed very, very much!
All these comments here are a testament to what a great guy Rick was to family, friends and the community. If you lived in New Richmond and did your personal business in town you knew Rick. He was like a dear friend to all that knew him. RIP Rick.
So sorry to hear about this. He was the best uncle. Love and condolences to his family.
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