Carol I. Cope

Carol I. Cope, philanthropic friend of Kearney, died Thursday, September 13, 2012 at her home on the evening of her 103rd birthday. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney. Rev. Joseph Hannappel will officiate with several area priests concelebrating. A Prayer Vigil will be held Tuesday evening at 7:00 at the church. There will be no visitation, the casket will be closed. Private burial will at a later date at Kearney Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. James Catholic Church, The Fort Kearney Chapter of the American Red Cross or to the donor’s choice. A message of condolence, tribute or memory can be left at www.hlmkfuneral.com. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Services of Kearney is in charge of arrangements. Carol Cope was born September 13, 1909, in Tate, Nebraska to Frank and Marilena Schrepel. She graduated from Burchard High School in Burchard, NE in 1926. Carol received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. She taught music in North Platte and Lincoln and later moved to California where she was 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, Nebraska. Carol and Ron moved to Kearney in 1940 and were long time members of St. James Catholic Church. Ron died January 12, 1992. Their marriage of 53 years was a solemn tribute to each other and to mankind."Philanthropic and loving mankind, " beautiful descriptive words that say it all. Carol carried forward the"couple love" that she and Ron had for Kearney and Nebraska. Caring for others was an integral part of Carol’s way of life. The financial rewards that she and Ron received were shared with others, and their acts of loving care and kindness surround the Kearney community. Moreover, when Ron was called to his heavenly home, Carol continued to be a great steward of their wealth and has inspired others to think about their own giving. Carol’s love for her church, music, the arts, education, football, politics and travel were expressed throughout her 102 years (age update). She was an active volunteer in multiple organizations and a benefactor of numerous distinguished awards and citations. She had leadership roles and served with compassion in every organization, held many offices and served on numerous boards and foundations including AAUW, American Cancer Society Buffalo County, Buffalo County Historical Society, Fort Kearney Chapter of the American Red Cross, Buffalo County Republican Women, Business and Professional Women, Catholic Daughter’s St. James Parish, Citizen’s Advocacy, Delta Omicron Society, Frank House, Friends of the Library, Good Samaritan Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation and Volunteer Service League, Great Platte River Road Archway, Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, Kearney Area Community Foundation, Kearney Area Retired Teachers, Kearney Concert Association, Kearney Area Symphony Orchestra, Kearney Family YMCA, Kearney Humane Society, Kearney Community Theater, Kearney Envoys, Kearney Woman’s Club, Kiwanis Golden K, Merryman Performing Arts Center, Museum of Nebraska Art, Nebraska Safety Center, Nebraska Sentencing Review Board, Nebraska State Nature Conservancy Board, Nebraska Commission on Aging, University of Nebraska Foundation and UNK Chancellor’s Advisory Board, PEO Chapter AS, S.A.F.E. Center, Sigma Beta Delta, Willa Cather Foundation. Carol received many local and State awards because of her dedication to the Kearney community and State of Nebraska: 2006 Kearney Hub Freedom Award for Lifetime Achievement, 2006 Thomas C. Woods III Partner in the Arts Award at the Governor’s Art Awards, 2001 Hub Freedom Award, 2001 Kearney Philanthropy Award, 2001 Nebraska Philanthropist of the Year, Central Community College Hall of Fame, Kearney Chamber of Commerce Envoy’s Friend of Kearney, Kiwanis Citizen of the Year and Kiwanis Hixon Award, Nebraska Admiral, Nebraska Pioneer Award, Red Cross Legacy Award, Sertoma Service to Mankind Award, Star of Delta Omicron, University of Nebraska Distinguished Service Award, University of Nebraska Kearney Cornerstone of Excellence Award. The Kearney community came together on Carol’s century birthday, September 13, 2009, to celebrate her 100 years and express their gratitude for her long history of community service and philanthropy. St. James Church hosted her 100th birthday Mass and reception. Rev. Charles Torpey said in his homily that Carol acted upon her faith. He stated,"If you are not willing to take care of others in need, you’re missing the point of the Gospel." Carol was honored with numerous birthday celebrations. 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, NE, nieces Deb Burkey, Hickman, Gerri Cope Welden, North Platte; nephews Bob Dingwell, Bellville, IL, Jim Dingwell and Tom Dingwell, both of Lincoln; her godchild Mary Lee Swendsen; of Edina MN 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. PDF Printable Version

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Carol I. Cope

September 13, 1909 - September 13, 2012