Patrice Dilly Cooper

Patrice Dilly Cooper

Patrice Cooper Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Aug. 11 to Aug. 16, 2004.
Cooper Patrice Dilly Cooper passed away from cancer at her home on Monday, August 9. Patrice was born in 1953 in Morris, MN. She graduated from Herman High School in 1971 and St. Cloud State University in 1975. Patrice married Harris Cooper in 1978. Her journey with cancer also began in 1978 and led to the loss of her left arm in 1987. True to her nature, Patrice continued to relentlessly pursue her passions for travel, competitive golf and authentic friendships. She co-founded a family foundation and developed a prosthetic piece for amputee golfers. Patrice had an inspiring golf career as eleven time National Amputee Golf Champion and seven time Hazeltine Women's Club Champion. She was an avid Minnesota sports fan, a defender of women's rights and a seeker of her own spiritual truth. Patrice was blessed with the love of many families. She was born into one loving family, and throughout her journey nurtured and embraced her chosen family. Patrice is survived by her daughter, Nicole Mee Cooper; soul mate, Karen Weiss; and loyal companion, Kirby. Her parents, Violet and Bob Dilly Sr.; brother, Bob Dilly Jr., sister Peggy Kappes, nephews and nieces; Jason, Katie, Britta, Alissa, Adam and Ashley. Other important family in her journey; her Sophia sisters, her golfing buddies and Hazeltine family, NAGA, her Denmark group and many lifetime friends. She loved well and was well loved. Patrice was an authentic soul, and her legacy of determination, dignity and passion for life will continue to guide us. A memorial celebration for Patrice will be held at Hazeltine National G.C., Thurs., Aug. 19th from 3-5 pm. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Women's Foundation of Minnesota 612-337-5010

View All Photos

Add Photos to Memorial

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Patrice Cooper's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

August 5, 2023

NAGA events posted to the memorial.

August 25, 2004

Brian Bemis posted to the memorial.

August 24, 2004

mark smith posted to the memorial.

NAGA events

August 5, 2023

I remember meeting Patrice at NAGA nationals at Spotswood County Club way back when. Watching her play and the way she carried herself was amazing to me. I miss her.

Brian Bemis

August 25, 2004

I feel for Nicole and all of Patrice's family and friends. I just lost a brother-in-law last year to cancer. I will miss her infectious smile and laughter but most importantly I will miss her. I wish I could express more but I am being overwhelmed with tears and cannot see the screen. We all love you and miss you.



Love,

Brian Bemis

mark smith

August 24, 2004

Patty will be missed by all who new her. i remember our own special class trip to yellowstone.

Mike and Angie Wraight

August 21, 2004

Dear Patrice, what can I say? Angie and I were deeply shocked to hear of the bad news from Bob. You were a wonderful person and do not know how much we will all miss you.

You will remain in our hearts and minds forever as true lady and an ambassador, not only for amputee golf, but for life in general.



With love and affection from all the amputees in the UK.

Michael Duggan

August 18, 2004

I will miss talking to Mrs. Cooper about sports and life. We loved chatting about the Vikings and my team the Buccaneers. She was my favorite person at Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples. I will truly miss her....Michael

Sandra (Forslev) Von Ruden

August 18, 2004

Nicole... I remember your mother's easy going spirit and sense of humor during the time I was your Kindergarten teacher at ISM. My thoughts are with you.

Merridith Duellman-Joly

August 18, 2004

Please accept my sympathy on the loss of one great lady. She was an inspiration to many and I enjoyed so much every competitive round of golf in which I was paired with Pat. I will miss her in MN Women's Golf.

Lindy Johnston

August 18, 2004

Please accept our deepest sympathy and know your family will be in our thoughts and prayers in the days to come. Patrice is truly my hero in the way she chose to live life to its fullest.

Keith Berge

August 16, 2004

Thank you to Patrice, Karen, and Nichole for teaching me about courage and grace in fighting a good fight. No wonder Patrice was good at golf, she was clearly a champion at life.

Kathy Hein Jensen

August 16, 2004

To all of Pat's family. I have fond memories of Herman H.S. and Pat's outgoing, wonderful nature. I read with pride and awe at her determination to live life on more than one occasion. I am sorry for your loss and send you my heart-felt sympathies. Kathy

Katie Dilly

August 16, 2004

My aunt Pat was an amazing woman and inspiration to many. She was there to make you laugh. I have many memories of her playing golf, teaching me to, sharing her heart and home to me, playing games, and going to the cabin when were younger. These are the great memories that I will remember her by. I am proud to be her neice because she touched so many people on and off the golf course.



I will always remember the good times and I love you!



Katie

Camilla Bernini Zeigler

August 16, 2004

My dear friend , I learned so much from you . I'm so lucky we spent a deep few moments together. You, with Karen and Nicole, really teached me to be brave and always to keep going in life looking for love. I will miss you so much.

Marcia Evans-Kopp

August 15, 2004

I met Pat in 1976 when we both worked in the Public Relations Department at International Dairy Queen. There were 4 of us in that Department, all fresh out of college, with a zest for life and our eyes on a future filled with hope and possibility. We all became fast friends. I knew Pat as a leader, filled with compassion, a spirit for life and an almost stubborn determination to acheive her goals. I was saddened when, years later, I learned that Pat lost her arm to cancer. However, I was not surprized that she took the cards that were dealt and used them to make an impact and buld a legacy... paving a new road by which future amputies could fill their lives with hope and possibility. Even though our paths never crossed again, I am so saddened by her passing. I wish we could laugh about old memories one more time. My sincere sympathies to her family and friends. Please know that Pat made a lasting impression on an old friend, who 28 years later, will miss her.

Phil Chirnside

August 15, 2004

I never got to meet Pat personally last year at Hazeltine because she was a very busy lady and I didn't want to intrude on her, but her life and accomplishments are certainly very commendable. If we could all only have a small portion of her stamina & courage, what a wonderful world this would be. My deepest sympathy goes out to her family.

Kellie Valentine-Andrews

August 14, 2004

In remembering Patrice, I think that what she taught me about golf is only a fraction of what she taught me about life. Through all of our interactions, I have always been inspired by Patrice's personal integrity, a key part of her personality which I try, very hard, to emulate. With that personal integrity came the qualities which made her a loving and caring daughter and mother, a true and reliable friend, and a fierce competitor who won or lost with equal grace. She and her family will always remain in our thoughts and prayers.

jim grover

August 13, 2004

I met Pat at Hazeltine. She perfectly represented the love for the game and spirit for competition which symbolizes our Amputee Golf endeavors.

Virgil Price

August 12, 2004

It was a pleasure to have known you. Although we have played in tournaments, but never togther, you were such an inspiration to all women competing as well as the men. You will be missed.

Charlie Horton

August 11, 2004

What an impact she made on others and on me as well. Received the sad news the same day I watched the video.They couldn't have picked a braver lady than Patrice to grace its cover. I will miss you Pat.

Allison McNally

August 11, 2004

To have met such a great and determined lady with such courage simply enhances ones own desire to fulfill that which makes life such a wonderful thing. For Patrice and her family her desire to achieve for self and others was that gift she will forever give.

Thanks for "BEING BRAVE": Thanks for Haziltine and may your God forever guide you on his green !

....from East Canada,

Paul Sheahan

August 11, 2004

A great friend of Golf and NAGA will be missed deeply. What a player and competitor, I got to play two rounds with Patrice at Marshfield.

Gwen Davies

August 11, 2004

Patrice and I have become good, close friends, since my first USA National amputee event in 1993. At that time, there were very few women in Amputee golf and Patrice had a mission to recruit as many women into the sport as she could. She always felt that they we could achieve great things on the course and encouraged us all to think that way. When you see the number of women amputees now golfing, a lot of the credit goes to Patrice for her vision. She would have liked to see the sport grow even more, and the best tribute any of us can give her, is to recruit more women amputee golfers and to encourage them to attain the highest goals, as Patrice herself did. She was a champion in so many other ways also, a valued friend, and a wonderful daughter and mother. Good bye dear friend. 'Gwennie'

Tom Stevens

August 11, 2004

I wish to add my condolences to the friends and family of Patrice, including the family of amputee golfers that Patrice was always so happy to see and to help. We will miss you, but never forget you. My prayers go with you to your reserved place in Heaven

Paul O'Connell

August 11, 2004

Patrice, it was an honour to have known you and to have played golf with you many times. I am so glad I was able to come over last year to your Club and enjoy the event you had worked so hard to achieve.Will miss your smile, and that scowl when one gets away.

With love and best wishes Paul

Gordon Terry

August 11, 2004

On behalf if my wife Carol and myself we want to wish the family of Patrice all the best in the trying times ahead. I have only known Pat through the golf on a few occasians and she was a true champion. All the best to her family from us in in Canada.

Robert Mac Dermott

August 11, 2004

My deepest sympathy Nicole and family.

Your Mother was a true Champion in life.

You and your Mom will be always in our prayers, she will be remembered and missed.

God Bless in your time of sadness.

Bob MacDermott

Jim Curley

August 11, 2004

My first Nationals was in '92 at Spotswood CC, so was Patrice's. We played several rounds together over the next few Nationals and became good friends. Her passion for the game was immeasureable and culminated in bringing the Nationals to her beloved home course, Hazeltine National Golf Club. I had the pleasure of playing in that event and it truly was an experience I'll never forget. Patrice and her crew did a wonderful job preparing the members for our arrival and their response was all we could have expected. In my opinion, Patrice Cooper will forever be the epitome of amputee golf and what it means to challenge yourself and succeed despite the odds. Heaven has surely gained a new angel. Goodbye and God Bless Patrice Cooper.

Ralph Warrington

August 11, 2004

Patrice,you will never know how much I respected and appreciated your determination and ability. All Amputee Golfers, especially those that attended Hazeltine last September are indebted to you for the reinforcement you gave all of us in our belief that we are not disabled, rather we are blessed with fortitude and a never ending will.

May God bless you in your eternal heaven and peace be with you.

Ralph Warrington

[email protected]

Claudia Pilot

August 11, 2004

Pat will be greatly missed on the Minnesota golf scene. I first met Pat at the Resorters tournament shortly after her prosthesis was created - an amazing golfer with an incredible spirit for the game.

Mark Maurer

August 11, 2004

My experience at Hazeltine Golf Club last year, during the Naga Championship, left me with an indelibly warm, loving and respectful impression of Patrice. If there was ever anyone I admire and would like to be more like, it would be Patrice Cooper. Specifically, her benevolent, effective effort in helping and doing things for others. She shall forever have a place of love and respect in my heart for that.

Robert "Bob" Wilson

August 11, 2004

It has been my distinct please to have known Pat since her first tournament with us (NAGA)in 1992. I knew her as a fellow golfer, mother, competitor, friend. It was my priveledged to have been a part of helping her make her dream come true ... the hosting of the National Amputee Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Her counsel and advice in matters concerning NAGA will be missed. Pat was a true Champion and I wish her God's grace.

Stephen Cornell

August 11, 2004

Patrice, the golfing world in the EAGA & NAGA will never be the same without your enthusiastic personality at our tournaments . You are truely missed and will be for a very long long time. Your dream of bringing a National Championship to Hazeltine National is a fitting tribute to your passion and love of the game.

Thank You for your friendship.

Showing 1 - 34 of 34 results

Make a Donation
in Patrice Cooper's name

How to support Patrice's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Patrice Cooper's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sign Patrice Cooper's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

August 5, 2023

NAGA events posted to the memorial.

August 25, 2004

Brian Bemis posted to the memorial.

August 24, 2004

mark smith posted to the memorial.