Amber Cooper

Amber Alyse (Wegner) Cooper June 3, 1971 - May 24, 2025 Amber Alyse (Wegner) Cooper, 53, of Johnston, Iowa, passed away at her home on May 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Services will be held June 3, 2025 at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, IA. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. with funeral service at 11:00 a.m. An additional gathering will be held at Your Private Bar in West Des Moines from 5-8 p.m. to share memories and tell stories. Amber was born on June 3, 1971, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Jeannette (Fliehs) and Robert W. Wegner. From her earliest days, she brought light and energy to the world around her. As a toddler, she was a familiar sight riding on the back of her parents' bicycles across the SDSU campus, being handed off between classes and admired by fellow students. Her childhood was shaped by the family's military life, with time spent in Ft. Sill, OK; Ft. Rucker, AL; and Ft. Lewis, WA - where she famously taught herself to ride a bike, likely aided by her many early years on two wheels. Amber grew up primarily in Des Moines, Iowa, and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1989. A standout athlete, she made a lasting impact on the s...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

ol's swim team, setting multiple records that remained unbroken for 25 years. She later attended Iowa State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. She built a successful professional life, beginning in banking and mortgage origination, then becoming an investment and insurance agent. Her passions ultimately led her to founding her own business, Your Private Bar. The mobile hospitality company quickly became a local favorite, providing exceptional service at weddings, corporate events, reunions, and celebrations of all kinds. Amber's energy, attention to detail, and passion for creating memorable experiences earned her numerous "Best of Des Moines" awards and the admiration of her peers and clients alike. Outside of work, Amber's life was filled with joy, generosity, and meaningful relationships. She and her husband Matt shared 14 wonderful years together, making special memories during their vacations to Ft. Myers Beach, Florida--one of Amber's favorite places to relax and recharge. She and Matt also spent many years riding segments of RAGBRAI with her beloved DayDrinker crew, no doubt inspired by her early childhood days on a bike. Amber lived a life overflowing with creativity, compassion, and adventure. Whether organizing an event, opening her home for "Amber Camp", or exploring the world with friends and family, she brought light and laughter wherever she went. Indeed, every activity with Amber turned into a hilarious story to be told later over drinks or cake. Her presence was a gift, and her memory will live on in all who were blessed to know and love her. Amber is survived by her devoted husband, Matthew Cooper; her beloved daughters, Kourtni and Kassidi Stumpf; her father and stepmother, Robert W. and Valerie Wegner; her brother, Matt (Janelle) Wegner and their children, Kaitlin and Keegan Wegner; step-sisters Stephanie Sanders (and daughters Dakota, McCoy, and Reece) and Rebecca Lesnar (and sons Hudson, Cooper, and Landry); her mother-in-law, Jackie Cooper; sisters-in-law McKenzie and Mikaela Cooper; and many loving uncles, aunts, cousins, and lifelong friends who were like family. She was preceded in death by her mother, Jeannette (Fliehs) Wegner; maternal grandparents, Irvin and Janice Fliehs; paternal grandparents, Robert S.and Barbara Wegner; her uncle, Larry Wegner; and her father-in-law, Dean Cooper. Honorary pallbearers are her friends and loved ones who are truly too numerous to count. Flowers may be sent to: Lutheran Church of Hope 925 Jordan Creek Pkwy West Des Moines, IA 50266 Condolences and memories may be sent to: Matt Cooper 7071 Carey Ct Johnston, IA 50131