Obituary of Portia L. Cooper

Portia L. Cooper, 96, of Iowa City, died Saturday, March 8, 2014, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. A gathering of family and friends was held Thursday, March 13, 2014, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. On Saturday, June 7th A Celebration of Portia's Life will begin with a ceremony at 10:30am at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Iowa City, with a luncheon immediately following. At 2:00pm a butterfly release to honor Portia will be celebrated on the Fishing Pier at Kent Park which was dedicated in her husband Leon's memory. An internment of Portia and Leon's combined cremated remains will take place at 4:30 pm at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City. Memorials in Portia's name can be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church or Johnson County 4-H. Portia L. Showers was born July 6, 1917, in Iowa City; daughter of Charles N. and Hedwig (Potratz) Showers. She grew up on the family farm south of Iowa City, graduating with the 1935 City High class and in 1939 from the University of Iowa. Portia met her life partner, Leon, while teaching in Kensett, Iowa and they married, July 4, 1941. Several years later, they moved back to Iowa City where they would begin and raise their family. Portia was very active in the community, fundraising for the ICCSD, Longfellow Elementary and Johnson County 4-H. She will be remembered for her 35 years as a 4-H club organizer and her recent induction into the 4-H Hall of Fame at the Iowa State Fair. She put so much of her life into the guidance and leadership of the hundreds of young women with whom she crossed paths, and cherished those opportunities. Her family includes her children, Patricia, Paul, Carol and Susan Cooper; 7 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and siblings, Susan Blumgren and James Showers. Portia was preceded in death by her husband of almost 70 years, Leon; brother, Donald "Mac" Showers; and her parents. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City is caring for Portia's family.