Alfred Cooan

Alfred A. "Doc" Cooan, age 87, of Elmore, died Friday, December 5, 2003, at United Hospital, Blue Earth. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2003, at 11:00 AM, at the Elmore United Methodist Church, with Rev. Wane Souhrada officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery, Elmore. Visitation time will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday, at Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 400 E. 14th Street, in Blue Earth and one hour prior to services at the church.He was born December 31, 1915, at Elmore, Mn., the son of William and Emma (Fritzmeier) Cooan, Sr..Alfred was born in Elmore and raised in Timberland, Wisconsin where he attended schools. He returned to Elmore as a young man and drove a truck for Gig Berg Trucking. He was married to Thelma C. Espeland on December 19, 1941 at South Blue Earth Lutheran Church. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 29, 1942 and served during WW II. He returned to Shell Lake, Wisconsin following his discharge from the army on November 20, 1945. He farmed in Shell Lake until 1955 when he moved permanently to Elmore. He worked as a truck mechanic with Elmore Nursery until his retirement in 1980. For many years, prior to retirement, Alfred did custom combineing in the fall throughout the country. Alfred was a member of Elmore United Methodist Church and helped construct the Minn-Iowa Golf Course, where he was a founding member. Alfred loved fishing, hunting and golfing through the years. He is survived by his Wife: Thelma Cooan of Elmore, Son: Ronald (& wife Janet) Cooan of Downey, California, Son: Richard (& wife Galia) Cooan of Greer, South Carolina, Brother: Robert (& wife Barbara) Cooan of Birchwood, Wisconsin, Sister: Marie (& husband Norman) Loudenslager of Baltimore, Maryland, Sister: Elnora Root of Frederic, Wisconsin, Sister: Esther (& husband Robert) Anderson of Shell Lake, Wisconsin, five grandchildren, six great grandchildern and several nieces & nephews.Alfred was preceded in death by his parents, son- Randall L. Cooan in 1997, Brothers-Bill and Melvin Cooan and two infant sisters.