Berna Ardelle Cooper

MISSOULA ~ Berna Ardelle Cooper, 97 years, 7 months, 1 week, and 2 days of Missoula, Mt passed away on Saturday January 3, 2026, at home of natural causes.

She was born on May 25,1928 in Darby, Mt to Clarence and Eva Hart. She was number 7 of 8 children and was the last of this generation including all brothers, sisters and cousins.

She was married to Francis Oppegaard in October 1946, together they had 4 children and lived in Hamilton and Missoula. She worked as a homemaker and later at Eddy’s Bakery. They divorced in 1973. She moved to Belgrade and met and married Louis Mussgnug until his death in 1984. Then she went on to marry Robert Cooper in Burley Idaho in 1986 and was again widowed in 1987. She went on to work for the Forest Service in Stevensville and Helena until she finally retired at the age of 90. She was active in the Salvation Army church in Helena for many years and remained a special part of the congregation even after moving back to Missoula to live with her youngest daughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers, 4 sisters, her daughter and son in law, Marianna Marie and Danny Ray Traver, and daughter in law Linda Oppegaard.

Berna is survived by sons Francis (Bud) and Melody Oppegaard, Randell Oppegaard and her daughter Eva Clark. Along with her grandchildren Tracy Traver, Robert Stafford, Bambinette Schreckendgust, Michael Oppegaard, Rick l Rambo, Amber Oppegaard, Adam Oppegaard and Misty Monson-Cumming, and many great and great-great grandchildren.

Her memorial service will be Saturday, January 10th at 1:00 p.m. at the Salvation Army, 1905 Henderson in Helena, Mt. Interment will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 17th at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Missoula, Mt.

Arrangements are under the care of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory in Missoula.