Stephanie Jan

Cooper

Stephanie Jan Cooper, 38, of Sioux City, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

A visitation with Stephanie’s family will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. A Celebration of Stephanie’s Life will begin at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Stephanie was born on June 21, 1988, in Sioux City, the daughter of Robert “Bob” and Dawn (Steffe) Cooper. She graduated from East High School in 2006 and attended Iowa Central. Stephanie worked for Mid-Step Services before making the decision to stay home and devote her time to raising her children—something she treasured more than anything.

Her creativity was woven into so many parts of her life. Stephanie loved taking photographs of nature and had a special appreciation for the beauty she found in the world around her. She loved Harry Potter, Bob Marley, the Kansas City Chiefs and mermaids, and her artistic spirit shone through in her beautiful singing voice. She also found joy in painting rocks and hiding them around Sioux City, leaving little pieces of her creativity and kindness for others to discover.

But above all else, Stephanie was a mother. Her children were her greatest joy and the center of her world. She cherished every moment with her daughters, Marley and Dylan, and was especially grateful for the community and friendships she found through the Arena Dance family with Marley. Her love for her children was unconditional, fierce, and unmistakable. Stephanie also treasured her family and the special memories shared during weekends in Okoboji and Yankton.

She leaves behind a lifetime of memories filled with laughter, creativity, music, family adventures, and the many little moments that made her uniquely Stephanie. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, but her laughter, her artistic spirit, and, most of all, her love for her children will continue to live on through them.

Those left to cherish her memory include her parents, Robert “Bob” and Dawn Cooper of Sioux City; her daughters, Marley and Dylan; her significant other, Engelbert “Engel” Ortiz, and his sons, Gabe and Gio; her brothers, Dustin and wife Gretchen of Sioux City, Brock and wife Heather of Portland, Oregon, and Danny and wife Brittni of Sioux City; and her beloved nieces and nephews, Cali, Caroline, Camden, Reagan, Kennedy, Madison, Denver, Ava, and Beckam.  Stephanie is also survived by two aunts, Shirley Steffe (Michael Chartier) and DeeEtta Riley (Pat Cheever), an uncle Rick (Michele) Cooper, and many cousins.  

She was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents and her aunts and uncles.

Stephanie’s life was far too short, but she filled it with love, laughter, creativity, and the people who meant the most to her. Her memory will remain a beautiful part of the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her.