Joel Keith Cooper, 68, of Sioux Falls, SD (formerly of Mitchell, SD) passed away on September 18, 2012 in the Sioux Falls VA Hospital after a long illness. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at the Will Funeral Chapel. Joel was born on August 18, 1944 in Stickney, SD to Keith and Verna (Boeker) Cooper. Joel was a graduate of Mitchell High School and a veteran of the US Air Force. He was a gentle soul and met his life's considerable challenges with grace and good humor. He was proud to be a lifelong fan of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. He was preceded in death by his father, Keith Russell Cooper, and his mother, Verna Boeker Cooper. He is survived by a brother, James of Yelm, Washington and his wife, Lynn; by a sister Carla Cooper, of New Braunfels, TX and her husband, James Puetz. His family will be forever grateful for his loving caregiver of 16 years, Dee Farnham, and want to thank the Hospice Team at the Sioux Falls VA for its kindness in helping Joel through his last month.