Cooper L. Wendland
Cooper Lynn Wendland, age 21, of Arapahoe, Nebraska, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
He was born on March 7, 2005 to Jamie and April (Linner) Wendland at the Holdrege Phelps Memorial Hospital.
He was a member of The Arapahoe Trinity Lutheran Church. He was baptized, April 24, 2005 and was confirmed into the church April 28, 2019.
Cooper was a member of The Arapahoe Baby Beef and Arapahoe FFA Chapter. He was a proud Arapahoe Warrior. He loved football and all his friends he made along the way. He ended his football career by having the honor of playing in the Sertoma All-Star Nebraska 8-man football game and again in the Nebraska All- Star West game. Cooper walked off the field with two wins.
Not only did he have a love for football, but he had a passion for trap, golf, basketball and baseball. After graduation he attended NCTA at Curtis, Nebraska. He soon decided it was a waste of time and said he needed to get back to work. He came back home and started working with some of his favorite people at Anderson’s.
Cooper had worked with the Anderson’s since he was old enough to drive.
He loved being around cattle and getting in the tractor. Cooper spent a lot of his free time with family and friends, golfing, and hunting, fishing, and boating. Cooper had a bright smile, infectious laugh, a kind heart and adventurous spirit touching everyone he met. Cooper never met a stranger. He had the heart of a true cowboy.
You could always count on him for a great time, and always there if you needed him. Coop was the life of the party. His moto was: work hard, play hard and he did to the end.
Cooper will be deeply missed. He is survived by his parents, Jamie and April Wendland, Siblings, Brooke and Taylor Jones. Grandparents Alvin Linner, Doug & Sherri Bergman, Darius & Beth Wendland, and Uncles Kevin Wendland and Nathan Linner, Aunt Heather Wendland, and Aunt & Uncle Aaron & Amy Bethel. He was also blessed with many cousins and friends.
Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 11 AM at the Ella Missing Center in Arapahoe, Nebraska with Rev. James Moshier, officiating. Inurnment will be at the Arapahoe Cemetery, Arapahoe, Nebraska, at a later date.
Condolences and personal reflections may be left at gareyfuneralhome. com Cooper will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
