David Charles Cooper

David Charles Cooper, 88, of Aitkin, MN (formerly of Isle and White Bear Lake, MN) passed away at their home, surrounded by his wife, Sharon, on September 3, 2025.

David was born on February 22, 1937 to Marion and Helen Cooper in Forest Lake, MN. Due to his father’s job with the MN Conservation Department, the family moved to Isle in 1940 where he attended Central school in Opstead and later Isle HS. David left school and worked with area farmers and the Chevrolet dealership in Isle. When the dealership moved to Silver Bay in 1958, he moved there as well. In 1960 David volunteered to join the Army.

David’s life-defining experience was serving in the Presidential Honor Guard at the end of the Eisenhower administration; and he marched in Kennedy’s inaugural parade. After discharge, he returned to MN and owned and operated Knutsen Auto Service in White Bear Lake for almost 40 years, where he worked together with Sharon.

David met Sharon Mickelson while he was home on leave. They fell in love almost instantly and were lifelong partners—in work and in life.  They married on September 1, 1963 and recently celebrated their 62nd anniversary. David and Sharon raised two children, Eric and Anne, in White Bear Lake.

David and Sharon spent countless weekends and summer trips camping and fishing with his brother Gordon and sister-in-law Nancy, and with Eric and the Boy Scouts in the Boundary Waters.

If you knew David, you knew he loved wiener dogs--his schnitzels, and his log cabin. He and Sharon rebuilt it when their children were young, and have many happy memories of deer hunting, mowing the grass, building the road, and family vacations. David was a kind and patient father and grandfather who shared his love for the outdoors with everyone around him.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, son Eric Cooper (Jackie Osweiler), daughter Anne Cooper (Nuno R. Pereira Da Cruz), his grandchildren (Andrew Ashley (Rabecka), Madison Cooper, Anasophia and Helena Cooper Da Cruz) and his sister Karen Barneveld (Wayne), brother and sister-in-laws Joanne Herubin, Lorraine Glazier, Donald (Karen), Lester (Denise), Denise, Duane (Marianne), Allen (Debra), and many nieces, nephews and friends.

David was preceaded in death by his parents, brothers Ralph, Gordon, Marion, Robert, Joe, Larry, sisters Martha, Harriet, and Helen, and brother-in-law Stanley.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 8th at 11 AM in Holden Lutheran Church, Isle with Minister Sue Lyback officiating. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment with Military Honors will be in Holden Cemetery. To leave a message of condolence, please visit:  www.srtfuneral.com.  Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Aitkin.

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