Etta Copps

Vigil: Sunday, November 13, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City

Funeral Mass: Monday, November 14, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City

Interment: Calvary Cemetery

Etta Peterson Copps, loving mother and wife, died Saturday, November 12, 2005. She was 87.

She was born April 8, 1918, in Philip, S.D., the youngest child of Minnie and John Q. Peterson. She graduated from high school in Wall, S.D., in 1936. While in high school she worked at the soda fountain of the now-famous Wall Drug. After graduation, Etta helped raise her nephew Dale, who was orphaned when ahouse fire killed his parentsMina andThomas Galbraith.

Etta was an early-day telephone operator before marrying Dan Copps on Dec. 26, 1939, in Philip. He operated a store and meat market in Philip and four of their children were born there.In 1945, the couple moved to Miles City, where two more children were born and they took Gail Murry into their hearts and home. Dan was a partner in the grocery business until the couple opened a Ben Franklin store in 1947. They operated the store until 1969.Dan and Etta then moved to Helena, traveling the state as auditors for the State Liquor Commission. They returned to Miles Cityin 1974.TheCopps family was active in the Sacred Heart Parish, and Etta was a member of the St. Joseph Division. After retirement, Etta volunteered as a bookkeeper at the parish office, a job she dearly loved.

Etta expressed her love for her family through her constant kindness, dedication and support. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dan, and daughter, Mary Etta.

She is survived by her children: DiAnn Copps and Jim Iverson, Mike and Marty Copps, Teresa and Jim Drakos, Ed and Jana Copps, Gail Nottingham and Steve Wurz, Kay and Bob Balmer; her brother and sister-in-law James and Lucile Peterson; along with 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Vigil services will be held on Sunday, November 13, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 14, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of Committal will follow in the family lot in the Calvary Cemetery. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.

Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart School.