Karin Birgitta Cooper, 93, Springfield, passed away Thursday morning, February 27, 2025. Mrs. Cooper was born in Kinnared, Sweden, on March 19, 1931, to Ernst and Signe Jerpstrand.

She attended schools in Halmstad and Gothenburg, Sweden, where she studied foreign languages. At age 20, Birgitta went to Paris, France, for two years, where she studied art at Julian Art Academy. Upon returning to Sweden, she worked as a tour guide and Grand Hostess for Pan American in Copenhagen, Denmark. She also became a flight attendant for Scandinavian Airlines where she worked for five years.  When she decided to visit friends in Springfield, MO, she met James Henry Cooper, who a year later, became her husband.  Mrs. Cooper was the proud mother of two sons, Michael and Mark.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernst and Signe Jerpstrand, her husband, James Henry Cooper, and her sons, Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig and Mark Cooper, and her sister, Margaretha Jerpstrand.

She is survived by granddaughters, Rebecca Norden Ahlefeldt-Laurvig and Felicia Ahlefeldt-Laurvig, Sweden, and their families, her beloved cat Goggles, and extended family, Jan and Pam Ståhle, Springfield, MO. Birgitta is also survived by her nephew, John Cooper and family, Springfield, MO.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to her caregivers of four years, Shane, Moriah, Meghan, Sofia and Toni.

A private family graveside service will be held at a later date with The Reverend Kenneth Chumbley, officiating, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributions to be made to Southwest Missouri Humane Society or WOW, Watching Over Whiskers, Springfield, MO.