Lori Rae Lundhagen Cooley December 10, 1955 - May 9, 2021
Lori Rae Cooley, 65, of Mankato, passed away peacefully at home on May 9, 2021, surrounded by the love of her daughters and husband, and the calming scent of lavender. Lori was born on December 10, 1955, in Mankato, Minnesota, to Oscar and Ardis (Haaland) Lundhagen. She graduated from Mankato West High School and earned a nursing degree from South Central College. After high school, Lori pawned her clarinet and moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her best friend, Pat Brown, whom she lovingly nicknamed Downtown Patty Brown. After returning to Mankato, Lori married Randy Cooley on February 20, 1981. Together they had two beautiful and strong-willed daughters, Megan and Adrien. Lori's daughters meant everything to her, and she was incredibly proud of them. She also got them hooked on The Young & the Restless, which she started watching in high school.
Lori loved to talk, whether it was playfully arguing with her dad when she was a kid, giving grief to her friends, or sitting on her front porch with her mom, husband, daughters, and granddaughter, drinking coffee and reminiscing. She always made people feel at home with her, even if meeting them for the first time. She had a gift for connecting with others and making them feel seen, especially her family and friends.
Lori was an avid coffee drinker. Morning, noon, and night, the coffee maker in Lori's kitchen was always busy brewing another pot to be shared with anyone who entered her warm and welcoming home, which she loved to decorate. Most mornings Lori could be found writing and drinking coffee in front of the fire. And she always had a candle burning. Always.
Lori was proceeded in death by her parents; her son, Derek; and her brothers Richard and Don Lundhagen. She is survived by her husband, Randy Cooley; her daughters Megan (Dale) Peterson and Adrien Cooley; her beloved granddaughter, Molly Peterson; her best friend/soul sister, Pat Brown; and her brother, John Lundhagen.
A celebration of her life, or a Love Party as her granddaughter calls it, will be planned for this summer. Donations can be made in her memory to Mayo Clinic Cancer Research or any charity of your choosing.
Ellyce Thompson -West
Lori's obituary: https://obituaries.mankatofreepress.com/obituary/lori-cooley-1082328563
Barb Claridge -East
Lori Rae Lundhagen Cooley
December 10, 1955 - May 9, 2021
Lori Rae Cooley, 65, of Mankato, passed away peacefully at home on May 9, 2021, surrounded by the love of her daughters and husband, and the calming scent of lavender. Lori was born on December 10, 1955, in Mankato, Minnesota, to Oscar and Ardis (Haaland) Lundhagen. She graduated from Mankato West High School and earned a nursing degree from South Central College. After high school, Lori pawned her clarinet and moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her best friend, Pat Brown, whom she lovingly nicknamed Downtown Patty Brown. After returning to Mankato, Lori married Randy Cooley on February 20, 1981. Together they had two beautiful and strong-willed daughters, Megan and Adrien. Lori's daughters meant everything to her, and she was incredibly proud of them. She also got them hooked on The Young & the Restless, which she started watching in high school.
Lori loved to talk, whether it was playfully arguing with her dad when she was a kid, giving grief to her friends, or sitting on her front porch with her mom, husband, daughters, and granddaughter, drinking coffee and reminiscing. She always made people feel at home with her, even if meeting them for the first time. She had a gift for connecting with others and making them feel seen, especially her family and friends.
Lori was an avid coffee drinker. Morning, noon, and night, the coffee maker in Lori's kitchen was always busy brewing another pot to be shared with anyone who entered her warm and welcoming home, which she loved to decorate. Most mornings Lori could be found writing and drinking coffee in front of the fire. And she always had a candle burning. Always.
Lori was proceeded in death by her parents; her son, Derek; and her brothers Richard and Don Lundhagen. She is survived by her husband, Randy Cooley; her daughters Megan (Dale) Peterson and Adrien Cooley; her beloved granddaughter, Molly Peterson; her best friend/soul sister, Pat Brown; and her brother, John Lundhagen.
A celebration of her life, or a Love Party as her granddaughter calls it, will be planned for this summer. Donations can be made in her memory to Mayo Clinic Cancer Research or any charity of your choosing.