Diana L. Cooper, 70 of Sioux City, Iowa passed away Saturday, August 6, 2022, at a local hospital, with her family at her side. Service will be held 7:00pm Monday, August 15, 2022, at the Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City, 4125 Orleans Ave. Visitation will be held from 4-7 Monday with family present from 6-8 at the funeral home.

Diana was born May 11, 1952, in Sioux City, Iowa the daughter of Richard and Sylvia (Squires) Alter. She graduated from Riverside High School in 1970. Diana worked at Dance America, Bowl-Mor, Skyline Bar & Casino, and the post offices.  She was so proud of being named Postmaster in Macy, NE, and also worked for the Sioux City and So. Sioux City Post Office, where she retired in January of this year, after 23 years of service.   She married Bob Cooper, and they divorced five years later. She enjoyed helping kids and animals.

Diana is survived by her brother, Rick (Rosemary) Alter, aunt, Jean Petersen of Spencer, nephews, Chris (Becky) Alter and their children; Abby, Cadie, Adalynn, Jason Alter and his children; Luke and Kirsten.

She preceded in death by her parents.

From Rick & Rosemary:

She was feisty, fun, and had a great sense of humor.  Unable to have children of her own, she nurtured and spoiled every child she met.  She always came up with the most unique gifts for our grandchildren, who became her grandchildren too.  She had a soft spot in her heart for those less fortunate.  Her other favorite people were animals.  She never met one that she didn’t like.  She shared her home with many of them.  She had an eye for unusual décor and loved to share new recipes with us.  She was a loyal friend to many.  She is gone way too soon, but now resting in peace.  She was loved by all of her family and friends and will be greatly missed.

From Aunt Jean:

I do remember that awful foot brace she had to wear when she was little, and how she struggled through it and got to where she could really travel on it.  She and I had fun making quilts for the family.  She tried to have me make something that would be special to all of you.

From Chris:

So many great memories it’s hard to pinpoint just a few, but from her falling in the river as the sandbar got swept away by the current, playing Canasta with Grandma Sylvia, Ruthie Woolridge, and mom and dad, getting me a job at Dance America and Bowl-Mor, all the cherished holiday meals at grandmas with her famous jello salad and spaghetti salad, to her transitioning to mother hen for the neighborhood people and animals, becoming another grandma to our girls with her crazy gifts, and just her spunky and loving attitude all the way to the end.

From Becky:

I would say her love for animals and kids is what has always stood out for me.  She had a heart for giving to others.  Dream salad and spaghetti salad were always favorites of mine. She always listened to me, whether it was a normal daily conversation or a venting session about something going on in my life.  She could always make me laugh with her crazy ideas.  She always put thought into the gifts she gave the kids because she wanted it to be something they enjoyed.

From Jason:

I remember her love for others, always helping out the less fortunate. Like everyone else, the dream salad is unforgettable.  I remember when she moved and must have just gotten her Boa before moving.  She put the Boa into her belt loops while she moved.  Then after she was in that house, she would let the snake loose.  It loved to sneak into the cracks of the couch since it was warm.  People would come over and sit on the couch.  A few times people were a little more than startled when the snake came crawling over their shoulder.