Cooper David Peterson

In the spring of 2014, a gift of light, love, and laughter entered our world. Cooper David Peterson was born March 28, 2014, to Tiffany and Al Peterson, joining his 19-month-old brother Owen in a family that was to grow to include the large number of people that came into their lives over the next 11 years.

On Friday, May 30, Cooper left his earthly home and was welcomed into the arms of Jesus to continue his life in heaven. He left this world surrounded by family and blanketed in prayer. Cooper had astounding faith and often talked about all of the people and pets he would see again upon entering heaven.

On February 26th, 2015, Cooper was diagnosed with bilateral optic gliomas (brain tumors) and Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). His tumors were very aggressive and caused the loss of his sight a few months later. Eventually his tumors spread through many areas of his brain. Throughout his first few years of life, Cooper had many brain surgeries to address hydrocephalus caused by his tumors. He really only ever knew a life of treatment for these tumors, as he continued to be treated for them until the time of his death. He had numerous other health issues caused by his tumors, as well as NF1, but he defied all of these things instead of letting them define him. In the end, his poor little body just could not endure anymore.

Cooper shared a love of music with his father that encompassed many genres of music, usually rocking out to heavy metal or grooving to the Grateful Dead during their car rides. From the time of infancy his mother would sing to him to provide comfort through all the medical procedures and hospital stays. They created together soft songs of love they reached for in those difficult times. Cooper used music for comfort, to heal, to celebrate, or just to make a statement. Cooper would join in a song, always right on the correct note and instinctively felt the rhythm and beat of a song.

Cooper loved his big brother, Owen, with all his heart. Owen did not let Cooper’s blindness and other disabilities stop them from brotherly antics.

Cooper loved jokes, playing tricks, teasing and silliness. He was known for his “spicy” comments that became known as “Cooperisms.” When he got that twinkle in his eye and a smirk on his face, you never knew what was going to come out of his mouth, but you knew you were going to enjoy it.

Cooper thoroughly enjoyed going to school. He attended Early Childhood Special Education at Roosevelt Elementary School in Mandan, ND until his family moved to Lincoln, ND; he then continued his Early Childhood Special Education through BECEP at Miller Elementary School in Bismarck. He attended Lincoln Elementary School, Lincoln, ND from kindergarten through fourth grade. Cooper, and his family, were blessed by so many wonderful educators, instructional aides, and school staff in general. Fridays were his favorite day of the week because he got to scare everybody on Fridays and also had show and share. He put a lot of time into deciding what to bring each week - a couple of his favorites being the “funky chicken” and the “singing poo”. He had many school friends who loved to help him and truly embraced him. The Lincoln Elementary family of staff and students were an integral part of his young life. Cooper shared a special bond with Brandi Anderson, his vision impairments teacher, who started his school day with him for the last seven years and developed a unique tactile language that opened up learning to him.

Cooper is survived by his parents, Al and Tiffany Peterson and brother, Owen; paternal grandmother, Beverly Peterson, Moon Twp, PA; maternal grandmother, Rebecca Busby, Bismarck, ND; paternal aunts, Beth Ann (Ed) Bush, Aliquippa, PA, Susan (Rick) Mansuetti, Aliquippa, PA, Jill (Bill, decd.) Plese, Bartlesville, OK, and Amy (Brian) Lenosky, Moon Twp, PA; maternal aunts and uncles, Tanner (Anna) Busby, Woodinville, WA, Shane Busby, Moorhead, MN, and Megan (Mike) Hartsoch, West Fargo, ND. Cooper is also survived by 13 cousins and extended family.

Cooper was preceded in death by paternal grandfather, A. Leslie Peterson; maternal grandfather, David W. Busby; and paternal infant uncle, David Peterson.

In celebration of Cooper’s light and love of life, the family requests guest wear bright, cheerful colors as we remember Cooper and the impact he had on all of us.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Brave the Shave ND, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley – Fargo, ND.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, June 7, at McCabe United Methodist Church, 1030 N 6th St, Bismarck. To view the service livestream, click this link McCabe United Methodist Church | Livestream.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 6:30 pm, with a prayer service and sharing of memories beginning at 6:30 pm, Friday, June 6, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. The prayer service livestream can be found at the bottom of the page.

Burial will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck.