Virginia Cooper

Virginia May Cooper, 95, a longtime Entiat Valley resident, passed away on

November 10, 2025, in Wenatchee. She was born in Spokane, WA, on May 28, 1930,

to Jesse and Mary Wise. The family of eight was split up when she was 6 1/2, and

she lived in two different foster homes until she was adopted in 1940, by Viola and

Arthur Gritzmacher. The Gritzmacher family moved frequently during her school

years, and during that time, she lived in Oaksdale, Twisp, Greenacres, Spokane

Valley, WA, and Craigmont, Idaho.

In November of 1946, when she was a junior in high school, she moved to Entiat, WA. Her parents owned the Columbia Cafe, and she worked there as a waitress and cook for many years. She married Bill Cooper in September of 1964. The couple spent a brief time in Wyoming, Montana, and Winthrop, WA. In 1971, they moved to Ardenvoir, WA, and took over the operation of the Cooper family apple orchard until it was sold in 1984. In addition to working in the orchard at harvest time, Virginia also worked at Cooper's Store in

Ardenvoir.

One of the great joys of her life was being reunited with several of her biological siblings in 1986. She was especially happy to build a relationship with her brother, Jess, and sister, Betty. Virginia was an active Entiat community member, and was involved in the Grange, Entiat Federated Church, Food Bank and

Cemetery Board, just to name a few.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, in 2005. She is survived by her daughter, Jeanie H. Cooper of Spokane Valley; son, Gary B. Cooper of Wenatchee; and three grandchildren: Zane Cooper,

Sasha Cooper and Audrey Plett.

Virginia was a faithful servant of God and has gone home to be with Jesus.