Pauline Gladys Coop, 102, of Bloomfield, Iowa passed away on August 19, 2026, at the Bloomfield Care Center. She was born on August 28, 1923, in Iconium, Iowa to Shirley W. and Bertha Gladys (McDanel) Townsend. She graduated from Moravia High School in 1941. On November 21, 1942, she married Lowell Dwight Coop in Unionville, Missouri. He passed away on April 3, 2005.
Pauline was a farm wife and helped Dwight in every aspect of running a farm. She was active in the Democratic Party and served on the election board, helping to run elections and count votes. She was also quick to help people and was a very giving person. Dwight and Pauline loved to go camping together and started a camping club, the Wapello Traveling Sams. They visited 49 states, Canada, and Mexico. They also visited several European countries, a real highlight of their travels together. After retiring, the couple spent many winters in Texas and made many dear friends while there. She was an active member of the community, 4-H Extension, and the First Baptist Church in Bloomfield. Pauline also enjoyed playing cards with her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by two daughters, Pat Howk of Bloomfield, Linda (Nolen) Forsythe of Oskaloosa, Iowa; son, Doyle (Marie) Coop of Waxhaw, North Carolina; eleven grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Joan Townsend, Freda Huff; numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Ilene Werts; sons-in-law, Benny Howk, Jay Werts; great-grandson, Jordan Hunerdosse; two brothers, Junior Townsend, LeRoy Townsend; sister, Charlene Stevens; and a nephew, Melvin Weldon.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, (her 103rd birthday) at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Pastor Matt Froah officiating. Burial will be at West Grove Cemetery in West Grove, Iowa. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to the Bloomfield Care Center Activity Fund and Care Initiatives Hospice in Albia.
