Leslie ‘Les’ Cooper, 82

Leslie “Les” Cooper, of Dove Creek, Colorado, passed away on April 2, 2021.

He was preceded by sisters Margaret Cooper and Louis Frye (Cooper).

Les is survived by his wife, Sally; son, Ian; daughter-in-law, Audrey; and grandson, Sean.

He was born to Homer and Margerie (Larson) Cooper, in Glasgow, Montana, Jan. 17, 1939. Les and his family moved around Montana for much of his early childhood, until finally settling in the Flathead Valley. Coop, as he was known to family and friends, was born to the land, and he would dedicate his life to agriculture. He worked on the family farm as a boy, where he developed a love of the land. After graduating from Flathead County High School, Coop attended Montana State University Northern in Havre. He pursued, and graduated with, a degree in agricultural studies.

Les went on to become a successful and highly regarded farmer for the next 40 years. He served where he could, from a hitch in the U.S. Army Reserve, to being a member of several local boards of directors. Early in his career he met the love of his live, Sally Woesner, whom he married in 1966. They would be together, through many ups and downs, for nearly 55 years. In 1975, Les and Sally had their only child, Ian. In 2004 Les and Sally sold their farm in the valley, and in 2005, moved to their new home, Dove Creek, Colorado.

Les was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be sorely missed by those he left behind.

A celebration of life for Les will be held at 11 a.m. June 5 at the Pioneer Center in Dove Creek.

Arrangements are being made through Ertel Funeral Home in Cortez, Colorado. To send condolences or to view the obituary, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.