Billie Jo Cooper

Billie Jo Cooper earned her angel wings on December 8, 2021, after battling Parkinson’s Disease. Gerald, her husband of 65 years, was by her side. A memorial vigil service will be held on Sunday January 2, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The funeral mass will be held on Monday January 3, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit. Billie Jo was born in Great Falls on January 4, 1940, to Vaino and Lois Kivi, the youngest of six girls. She attended Great Falls public schools. In 1956 she married Gerald Cooper and together they had nine children. She was a stay-at-home working mother who was always there for her family. She was the bookkeeper for Cooper Construction, the family’s masonry business, for over 50 years. The Catholic faith was an important part of Billie Jo’s life. In the mid 60s she and Jerry made their Cursillo weekend, and this was a pivotal event in their faith life. The motto, “Christ is Counting on You,” was something they held in their hearts and helped them through the ups and downs of life. She was a Sisters of Providence Associate, an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and was involved in the Cursillo/Cum Christo Movement. She enjoyed her many 4th Day small groups, especially the couples group. Billie Jo was very caring and generous, volunteering at the local hospitals and at St. Vincent de Paul. The Ya-Ya Sisters Lunch Bunch brought Billie Jo lots of joy, as did her monthly card group. She took up golf, and along with Jerry she enjoyed many golf trips with friends. They travelled to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, and their most momentous trip to Rome. Billie Jo’s greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. She was a beautiful soul and was loved by many. Billie Jo is survived by her husband, Gerald; children, Mark (Val), Ron (Debby), Carmen Thorsen (Ed Bumgarner), Jeri Lynn (John) Phillips, John (Julie), Tim (Sandi), and Scott; 18 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Frieda Terry and Joan Bradley. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Dan; daughter, Amy; grandchildren, Jason Cooper and Tyler Meeks; and sisters, Eloise Dent, Patricia Thune, and Mary Ellen Johnson. Thank you to all her friends who came to visit these past couple years and the Hosanna Home for the love and care they gave Billie Jo these past months. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Vincent de Paul or to Great Falls Cum Christo.