In Memory of Wanda F. Van Houten Cooper

Wanda Faye Van Houten Cooper, age 95, of Battle Creek, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Father Richard D. Ball will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with a Rosary Service at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Homes of Ida Grove and Battle Creek, Iowa, are in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Wanda’s name may be directed to the Battle Creek Ambulance or the Willow Dale Wellness Village.

Wanda F. Cooper, was born on January 22, 1928, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the fourth child of William and May (Cain) Sweeney. She was from a family of 11 children. Wanda was raised in Council Bluffs and attended Second Avenue School and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1946. She attended her 60^th class reunion in September 2006. 

For three years Wanda worked at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1949 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Van Houten of Battle Creek, IA and was married for 25 years. The couple celebrated their 25^th anniversary in 1974. They were blessed with one son, Steven. 

After moving to Battle Creek, Wanda worked for Western Light and Telephone Company for 10 years until dial phones were installed. She then worked for the Hartley Memorial Hospital for 10 years and also worked at Willow Dale Care Center. In 1970 she became a CNA at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove for seven years and then for two years at Morningside Care Center. She was also employed with Home Health and Public Health. Wanda’s last employment was with Western Iowa Tech Community College for 12 years in Ida Grove for the carpentry department. She retired in 2001. 

In 1975 Kenneth passed away. Wanda married Darrell Cooper of Onawa, Iowa, on July 22, 1978. Darrell passed away in 2007. 

Wanda enjoyed collecting dolls, angels, and small antique items. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Red Hat Society, and past president of the Battle Creek Medical Auxiliary. Wanda was a faithful and devoted member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church who loved to lead the rosary prior to the Saturday evening mass until her health no longer allowed her to do so.  She was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, and sister.

Left to cherish her memory include her son Steven Van Houten of Indian Trail, NC; five grandchildren: Stephanie Parker of Aurora, CO, Dale (Tina) Drew of Arvada, CO, Stacey Van Houten of Aurora, CO, Joshua (Rachel) Van Houten of Loveland, CO and Laura (Kurt) Johnson of Albuquerque, NM; eight great-grandchildren: Michael Cordova, Ryan Drew, Gracie Drew, Cooper Johnson, Maddi Parker, Kevin Parker, Hadden Johnson, Alice Van Houten; sister Rosemary Schroeder; sisters-in-law Sandy Sweeney and JoAnn Hanegan; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Kenneth Van Houten and Darrell Cooper; stepson Harold Cooper; sisters Virginia, Kathryn, Jean, and Madonna; brothers William, James, Thomas, Joseph, and Jerry.