John Cooley

Graveside services will be held for John Cooley, age 78 of New York Mills, Minnesota on Friday, May 10, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at the Greenwood Cemetery in New York Mills with Pastor Nicholas Kandoll officiating.

John Leroy Cooley was born on February 22, 1946 in New York Mills, Minnesota.  His parents were the late Lawrence and Shirley (Johnson) Cooley.  John attended the New York Mills High School.  On October 4, 1969 John was united in marriage with Karin Margaret Heltemes at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena, Minnesota. 

John was employed with Oman Beverage in New York Mills.  From 1985 to 1993 John owned and operated JC’s Tavern in New York Mills and later works as the custodian for New York Mills Liquor Store.  He enjoyed playing cards, especially pinochle, gardening and spending time with his family.

On May 7, 2024 John passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the Sandford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota.  He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.  Preceding John in death were his parents, Lawrence and Shirley Cooley; siblings: Lawrence, Delphine, Loraine, Irene, Geraldine, Evelyn, Leslie, Edgar, Carolyn, Linda and Alice “Toots”.

John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Karin Cooley of New York Mills; children: Rachelle (Wayne) Sikorski of Fairmont, North Dakota; Calvin (Terri) Cooley of Fergus Falls; Jason (Joy) Cooley of New York Mills and Brent (Christene) Cooley of New York Mills; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; siblings: Margaret “Peggy” (Don) Bjelland of Henning and Sharon (Gordy) Wallace of New York Mills; many other relatives and a host of friends.

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