Carol I. Cope, philanthropic friend of Kearney, died Sept. 13, 2012, at her home on the evening of her 103rd birthday.
Carol Cope was born Sept. 13, 1909, in Tate to Frank Joseph and Marilena Schrepel. She graduated from Burchard High School in Burchard in 1926. Carol received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She taught music in North Platte and Lincoln and later moved to California where she was a professional piano accompanist while working on a master’s degree in music, which she received from USC.
Carol and Ron Cope were united in marriage on June 21, 1939, at St. Anthony Church, Steinauer. Carol and Ron moved to Kearney in 1940.
Carol and Ron owned and operated Claussens and Famous Shoe Stores in Kearney for 30 years. They also had stores in Lexington, North Platte and Holdrege. In addition, they hosted a weekly radio program, “Calling at Claussens,” for 19 years, where listeners enjoyed hearing about trends in shoes.
Her memory is honored by her brother-in-law Rollie Ayres, Lincoln; nieces Deb Burkey, Hickman, Gerri Cope-Welden, North Platte; nephews, Bob Dingwell, Bellville, Ill., Jim Dingwell and Tom Dingwell, both of Lincoln; her godchild, Mary Lee Swendsen, of Edina, Minn,; and a community of friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron; her parents; brother, Arthur and sister-in-law Margaret Schrepel; sister-in-law, Betty (Cope) Ayres; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim and Evelyn Cope, Paul and Eileen Cope and Melvin and Virginia (Cope) Thiemann; in addition, her canine companions; Judy, Tupper I and Tupper II.
A vigil service will be at 7 p.m. today, at St. James Catholic Church. There will be no public visitation, the casket will be closed. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19, at St. James Catholic Church, 3801 Avenue A, Kearney. Presiding will be the Rev. Joe Hannappel. Private burial will be at the Kearney Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to St. James Catholic Church, the Fort Kearney Chapter of the American Red Cross or the donor’s choice.
Visit www.hlmkfuneral .com to leave a message of condolence, tribute or memory.
Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services, Kearney is in charge of arrangements.