Bennett (Ben) Ervin Cooper, 82

Ben Cooper, age 82, passed away at Schneidmiller Hospice House on Dec. 3, 2021, with family members at his side. He was born in Lewistown, Mont., on Jan. 21, 1939, to Thurlow and Marie (Clary) Cooper.

In 1942 the family moved to Idaho, living in Harrison and Bonners Ferry before settling in the Post Falls/Rathdrum area. Ben attended school in Post Falls and Rathdrum.

In 1957 Ben married Karen Sylte. They lived in Post Falls where they raised their three girls, Sandy, Sherry and Sue.

He had several jobs during his life, including Idaho Veneer, Louisiana Pacific, Kaiser Aluminum and superintendent for the Post Falls Highway Department. He was a very talented home builder and built numerous houses in the Spokane, Post Falls, Rathdrum, Spirit Lake area. Ben was a farm boy at heart and always had a cow or two in his backyard. He would spend summers cutting and baling hay for winter feed.

In 1998, he married Diane (Day) Dretke. That same year they purchased property in Washtucna, Wash. He was finally able to fulfill a longtime desire to develop and operate a successful cattle-raising operation. He continued this operation for 20 years until his health forced him to finally retire.

Some would say that Ben had the “Midas touch” or he was extremely lucky because everything he did turned out successful. The reality is that Ben had an extremely hard work ethic, took great pride in his work and was able to think outside the box. He was somewhat “rough around the edges” but his wonderful hugs would melt those who were ever lucky enough to receive one. He was extremely proud of his family. He never knew a stranger, and loved to sit and visit. He had a natural curiosity and was genuinely interested in what others had to say. He trusted people and believed a handshake was the true measure of a man. He was extremely generous (sometimes to a fault) with his time and resources, always helping others. He spent an abundance of time with his nephews, being a mentor. Ben had a very mischievous personality and always brought the fun to the room.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Beulah Blythe and his step-son Ryan Dretke. He will be lovingly remembered by his brother, Robert (Bud) Cooper, sisters Donna Meyer, Jeanie Peery and Polly Ogle. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Diane, children, Sandy Via, Sherry Carroll and Susan Whitmore, step-children Heidi Smith (Bryan), Marc Dretke and Adam Dretke (Jess), grandchildren Crystal, Derek (Mikayla), Breanna, Tyler, Chad, Ashley (Bryan), Cameron, Cassidy, Ryan, Dawson and Kennedy, great-grandchildren Maddy, Andrea, Jada, Gavin, Cooper, Everett and Everly, as well as several nieces and nephews, a few in-laws and some out-laws.

Ben was a good, decent, hard-working man. He may be out of our sight, but he will always live in our hearts. Please join in celebrating Ben’s life at the American Legion Post 143, 1138 E. Poleline Ave., Post Falls, Jan. 21, 2022, from 1–4 p.m. Bring photos and stories to share.