The Kooper Ranch

Glen and Lucille Kooper -at their ranch, Dec. 9, 2006

The back yard, when Glen and Lucille owned the ranch. They called it the 'Kooper Kow Kamp'.


Glen and Lucille's back yard. The north side of the house.

Glen and Lucille ranched beside us for as long as I have been married to Don, and lived out here. Our friendship extends to her kids as well. Glen lost his first wife, and married Lucille, who had 1 son and 3 daughters from a previous marriage. Why am I telling all this? Hang on... One of her son-in-laws was my brother's best friend in school - so I've known them for a long time.

First of all, I say the Kooper Ranch, because something was brought to my attention. In this area, most ranches or even individual pastures are named after a particular person or family. In many cases, it's a person who homesteaded in that area. We have different pastures, each one has a name. Easier to give directions, keep records of pasture rotation, etc. For example, we have 'The Butch', 'I.D. Rhein', 'McCarthy' (guys say 'McCardy', but on the map it says McCarthy), 'Kicken' (which we sold and bought some land closer to us) - anyway... I would agree with my friend, where Meduna lived should not be remembered as '3 Strikes Ranch'. It should be spoken of as 'Kooper Ranch', and now 'Green's Ranch'. I know I say 'the former 3 Strikes', but I too, would hate to have 3 Strikes name stuck out here.

When Glen and Lucille were going to sell the place, it was not all up to them. Glen had a brother that was involved also. Glen was not well health wise, and they were going to move to town. There was such emotion through the whole ordeal, and Glen loved the ranch. Decisions were hard. Jason bought the land in December of 2006. He moved in on the 29th of December. Things moved too fast, due to the new person's demands.

Glen and Lucille's home went from tall trees surrounding the house, green grass and fenced in yard, shade all around in the hot summer, to what you saw pictured of his place during the seizure. As Glen still lived in his house, Jason thought it would be neat to let the donkeys, horses, etc run around in the yard, wherever they pleased, and he thought this would make Glen's day? Glen did not have children of his own, Lucille's kids were his kids. And they thought of him the same. They were always a very close family. Holidays, vacations, ranch time, always together. Glen loved the kids and grandkids, and they loved him.

This is before Glen and Lucille moved. Notice all the trees.

No, it's not green, but then it's in December! It was nice and green in the summer.

Our community of neighbors get together for brandings, helping each other out when working cattle, or shipping them, or moving them from different pastures sometimes. We used to have card parties more often but it seems like everyone just gets too busy. The people in this area have also sort of looked out for each other. Jason was a disruption. He wrote a letter to the family members of Lucille. This was after Glen passed away, and everyone was still grieving. It is unbelieveable how a person can sink so low as to write such things: I am not posting the whole letter, but it just gives an idea of the mind-set. Keep in mind, this was/is a very, very close knit family......

Jason wrote and said he's tried to be patient with the certain family member. However, he stated, they must need reminding of the facts. He told them the deal was with Mr. Glen Kooper not them. The kids were trying to get some money that was owed to Lucille, but he wouldn't pay, and he said that's why he wouldn't speak with them. The only problem is, Mr. Glen Kooper was no longer alive. He said the kids had nothing to do with the ranch, and they certainly did not contribute to it.

(Strange, the grandkids came and helped Grandpa Glen hay every summer, they were here for all the brandings, helped fence, repair things, etc. etc. etc)

He told them that the way they left the place was deplorable and shows just how irresponsible they are. He said that anything dealing with this property was done with Mr.Glen Kooper and is on record. He told them they brought nothing to the table except a mess to a ranch that was once beautiful. He accused the family of destroying the property.

(I don't think the above pictures look like the Kooper ranch is 'destroyed')

He told the family that everyone around here likes Glen, but had nothing good to say about his family. Then Jason actually told them that Glen sold to Jason, to save the ranch from Glen's family! He wrote that Glen told him that more than once.

(It reminds me of when Jason said when you choose to have a horse, his life depends on you, and that a true cowboy will feed his horse before he feeds himself.)

He said Glen talked to him all the time, and he accused the kids (Glen's step kids) of being disrespectful of Glen. He said he had kept quiet about all this for Glen's sake, because they would have taken it out on him!!!

(Can you believe the nerve?) Here's the corker... Jason said:

Now that he has passed on knowing someone is finally putting into the ranch instead of destroying it...I do not have to put up with any of your silliness any more. -He said all transactions were between Glen and him. He also said the family was 'Blacklisted' from the ranch.

Wow, I was amazed to say the least of this letter. The kids gave me a copy of that letter and I have permission to share.

Now, I know the grief and sadness that the family all felt. I was there. We're friends. What he did was heartless and sick and one huge lie.

Can you imagine in the summertime, where once there were huge tall trees and green grass lawns, to this? I am glad Glen would never see it in this condition. I just took this picture Thursday, December 17. This is the place after Jason owned it for almost 3 years.