Dorothy Clara Elizabeth Mantei Cooper, 90, passed peacefully in her sleep on January 29, 2013. She had been living in Nampa, Idaho with her daughter, Rhonda until her health took a turn for the worse and was moved to a care facility in Emmett, Idaho.

Dorothy was born August 25, 1922 in the town of Leader in Saskatchewan, Canada to Ewald and Matilda Mantei. Her parents had immigrated to the United States from Russia in 1901, becoming citizens in 1912. The family spent several years in Canada where Dorothy was born and the family soon returned to the United States moving to Oregon by way of North Dakota in 1922 and settling in the Clackamas area.

Dorothy was the last surviving child of 10 children. Dorothy left school early to help out at home, later earning her GED. She worked at the shipyards during WWII and W.T. Grants in Gresham; she retired from the State of Oregon Employment Office.

Dorothy had several hobbies throughout her life from raising poodles, knitting and crocheting, to hunting and fishing, ceramics and stained glass. She enjoyed drives to Mt. Hood or to the coast. Most recently, Dorothy enjoyed crocheting hats and slippers for her friends and family. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. Dorothy made a point of always sending out birthday cards to her family and friends, each month she would check her birthday list; diligently sending out her cards. Throughout Dorothy’s life, she had many close friends that she loved dearly.

Two items on Dorothy’s bucket list – obtain proof of citizenship and live to be 90. Although Dorothy had lived in the United States for nearly 90 years she had no proof that she was a U.S. Citizen having been born to naturalized U.S. citizens in Canada. With the help of Senator Ron Wyden, she obtained her proof of citizenship and was sworn in on July 21, 2011. Dorothy celebrated her 90th birthday surrounded by over 75 friends and family on August 25, 2012.

Dorothy is survived by her twin daughters, Roberta Chatfield of Yuma, Ariz. and Rhonda Anderson of Nampa, Idaho; her sons, Glenn Kinder of Gresham and Ramon Cooper of Woodland, Wash.; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Her husband of 54 years Samuel O. Cooper preceded her in death in 2010.

A memorial service will be held at Riverview Abbey Wednesday, February 6, 2013, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.