Metta B. Cooper, 91, Sturgis, died Thursday, November 21, 2013, at Sturgis Regional Senior Care.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am on Monday, Novmeber 25, 2013, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with Pastor Linda Grenz officiating. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery.

Metta was born in Vale, SD, on December 1, 1921, to Matt and Grace (Jones) Evers. She grew up and went to school at Vale. She married John S. Cooper on December 31, 1939, at the First Presbyterian Church Parsonage in Sturgis. They lived and worked on various ranches until they moved to the Cooper Ranch where they lived and worked until 1954, when they moved to town to put their kids, Gary and Joneta, in school.

Metta worked at the Community Memorial Hospital as the main cook and kitchen boss for 21 ½ years. Following her retirement, she spent the rest of her life as a devoted wife, mother, and housekeeper.

Metta enjoyed cooking, embroidery work, being outside, and talking about the Lord. She was a member of the Assembly of God Church for many years, even though she couldn't attend church in later years due to her health. She was a powerful prayer warrior.

Survivors include one son, Gary (Peggy) Cooper, Star, ID, and one daughter, Joneta Juhala, Sturgis. Honored to share her life were her two grandchildren, Troy (Sarah) Cooper, Ramsey, MN, and Stacy (Todd) Manske, Ham Lake, MN; seven great-grandchildren, Sabrina, Katrina, and Trevor Cooper, Tucker John, Sidney, Cooper James, and Jackson Todd Manske; and one sister, Treva Aeby, Stevens Point, WI.

Metta was preceded in death by her parents, Matt and Grace Evers; her husband, John S. Cooper on December 3, 1993; two brothers, Lloyd and Otto Evers; and two sisters, Bonnie Merritt and Evelyn Evers.

A memorial has been established to the Crossroads Assembly of God Church.