After fighting a long and courageous battle with cancer, Julie Cooper died January 2, 2017 at the Dougherty House in Sioux Falls, SD.

Julie Cooper was born July 29, 1959, in Brookings, SD, to Jim and Shirley Cooper. She attended Brookings schools, graduating from high school in 1977. She attended SDSU, graduating in 1981 in Fashion Retailing.

Julie was married to Bruce Fischer and had three beautiful children. She loved being a mom and attending her kids' activities. Julie was always the creative mom, making homemade Halloween costumes every year for her kids, and customizing their rooms. Her talents led her to create each room with it's own theme and enjoyed sewing the draperies, bedding and anything she could to make the room special.  Julie was a very talented seamstress. She spent many years working at Traditions, sewing custom draperies and later sewing independently. Julie loved to be creative and used her talents in many ways.

Julie loved the outdoors, camping with her family, her annual trips to Sturgis, and socializing.  She loved to travel. Although she did not have many opportunities to travel, when she did, Julie made the most of her trips. She was known best for her beautiful smile, positive attitude and kind heart.

Grateful for having shared her life are her parents, Jim and Shirley Cooper, Brookings, SD; her daughter, Valerie (Adam) DeWitte, Sioux Falls, SD; sons, Jonathan Fischer, Sioux Falls, SD, Mattius Fischer, Sioux Falls, SD; two granddaughters, Marlie and Ellie, Sioux Falls; brothers, Al (Mickey), Sioux Falls, Brian, (Monica), Brookings, Darin, (Marie) Spearfish, SD; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Julie was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents.

Services to celebrate Julie's life will be held 1:00pm Friday, January 6, 2017, at Miller Southside Chapel, 7400 S. Minnesota Avenue (81st and Minnesota Ave) Sioux Falls, SD.

Visitation begins at noon Thursday, January 5, 2017, at Miller Southside Chapel, with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 Thursday evening at the funeral chapel.

www.millerfh.com