(September 12, 1913 – May 11, 2014)
Georgia Ellen Cooper Mustonen, age 100, of St. George Utah passed away on May 11, 2014, at Kolob Care Center in St. George of causes incident to age. She was born September 12, 1913 to John Edward and Alice Erma (Henke) Cooper in Bozeman, Montana.
Georgia began her early education in Bozeman. At the age of 11 she moved with her family to Aberdeen, Washington where they lived for one year. The family then moved to Mount Vernon, Washington where she completed her education. After graduating from Mount Vernon High School, she attended Cornish School of Drama and Fine Arts in Seattle for two years, where she studied music and voice. Her parents sent her to Los Angeles where she took voice lessons for one year. Georgia had a beautiful singing voice, and in her adult life she was a popular soloist and choir member in many churches.
When Georgia returned to Mount Vernon, she began working in the family’s laundry and dry cleaning business. She then went to work at Montgomery Ward as a bookkeeper. While working there she got reacquainted with Clayton Adolph Mustonen, whom she knew from 8th grade and through high school. They were married June 18, 1938 in Mount Vernon, where they made their residence.
In 1939 Clayton was transferred to Olympia Washington, where he worked for the Civil Service. His employment took them to Chicago, Wichita, and Kansas City before they moved to Wenatchee, Washington in 1954. They owned Musty’s Marina, a boat and marine equipment store, there until 1962.
In 1968 Georgia went to work for Tree Top, where she worked as the Head of Personnel until her retirement. After Clayton retired they spent time boating and traveling in California, Mexico, Texas, Arizona and Canada.
Georgia was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1990. She was an active member of the Wenatchee Second Ward until 2004 when she left Wenatchee, and currently belongs to the Morningside Second Ward in St. George. The LDS Church has been a source of great joy and satisfaction in her life.
She was also a member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, Order of the Eastern Star, and Order of Amaranth where she held offices in all three organizations. She holds a lifetime membership in the Boating Club of Wenatchee, which was founded by her husband Clayton.
Georgia was preceded in death by her husband Clayton A. Mustonen in 1989, both of her parents, her brother Edward Leon “Bud” Cooper, beloved sister-in-law Elma, and her niece Jan (Mrs. Craig) Gable. Survivors include two cousins Gertrude Osborn and Helen Backlin, both of Bozeman Montana, and Thais Leavitt of Concord Massachusetts. She also leaves behind countless people who have loved her, and whom she has blessed with her love, patience and optimism.
At Georgia’s request, no funeral services are planned. A private inurnment will be held in Bozeman, Montana where her remains will be placed alongside her mother in the Sunset Hills Cemetery.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Georgia’s guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.