Gamma Phi Beta - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

GAMMA PHI BETA 3 T hough Diane Andrews Cooper '81 was only an active member of Pi Chapter for two years before getting married and pursuing her career in retail, the Gamma Phi Beta sisterhood continues to impact her life. Today, Diane owns and operates Cooper and Co., a home and gift store in Lincoln, along with her two daughters, Shane Cooper Olson '06 and Natalie Cooper Lundgren '11. They offer a large selection of home décor, furniture, and so much more! Diane began working retail part time while attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and found a real passion for sales and merchandising. Eventually, while working for Ben Simons, she was offered the opportunity to receive retail management training. After receiving her training, Diane managed a local shoe store for several years and then worked for Gordmans while pursuing a shop of her own. "Having my own business has always been a huge dream," Diane said. "I kept my job for two years while starting my business out of my basement creating gift baskets." After a while, she realized she needed more space and began looking for a storefront. She then expanded her business to selling décor as well. "My background in retail management and merchandising has definitely helped in building my current business," Diane said. "I started going to markets to buy more décor while continuing to create gift baskets." In 2011, Diane's oldest daughter, Shane, graduated from UNL and joined the family business. "Shane really helped me expand the business in the home décor market," Diane said. Natalie graduated in 2015 and followed in her sister's footsteps, adding her skillset to Cooper and Co. "Natalie focused on building the social media part of the business along with our growth of going into our customers' homes and helping them with decorating their spaces," Diane said "People really enjoy the assistance of us coming in and putting the final touches on their homes." With both her daughters on board, Cooper and Co. again needed a larger space. Diane found the perfect building near Antelope Park and was eventually able to convince the owner of the property to sell it to her. Cooper and Co. has been operating out of that space for the past four years. Diane has remained involved with the Gamma Phi Beta sisterhood through volunteering during recruitment week when her daughters were active, or whenever Pi Chapter reached out for additional help. She has also overseen a couple of updates to the chapter house, redoing the bookshelves in the main room and sprucing up the dining room with new tables and décor. "I was always proud to be a Gamma Phi," Diane said. "I'm so glad that both of my daughters were able to join. I tell them that they finished what I started." She says that Pi Chapter had a profound impact on both her daughters' lives, and she feels honored that they were all able to be part of such a special sisterhood. Outside of running her family business for the past 21 years, Diane enjoys spending time with her parents and is in the process of building a lake house. However, Cooper and Co. occupies most of her time. "Both of my daughters will tell you that I am passionate and driven in what I do," Diane said. "I feel so blessed to do what I love." You can check out Cooper and Co. by searching their name on Instagram or Facebook, or you can visit their new website at cooperandcolincoln.com. Diane can be reached at cooperandcohome@gmail.com. Family First Diane Andrews Cooper '81 Reflects on Her Family's Experience with Pi Chapter and Opening Cooper and Co. Jan Steffen Pieper '51 shares that her sons are all on the mainland: Dave in San Francisco, Jim in Omaha, and Steve in Cambridge, Mass. Her sons are all married and healthy. Jan is retired and happily living with other retirees in Arcadia, which is a retirement community in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she volunteers in the library and gift shop. Email: pieperjanet@gmail.com Karen Pohlman Phillips '58 has been a volunteer at Lakeside Hospital for 16 years. She keeps very active in our church and at the gym. Karen shares that life has been good. She lives in Omaha, Neb. Email: rkphil@cox.net Carol Graham Turner '67 lives in Augusta, Ga. She will celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary this summer. Her husband was a house boy for Pi in 1968-69 and is now a retired Presbyterian minister. Carol and her husband served in the Peace Corps in Bogota, Colombia. Carol taught in dental school there and then practiced dental hygiene. They have two children and two grandchildren. Email: samfcaro@bellsouth.net Sylvia Kunnemann '69 retired from several interesting careers and opportunities and is enjoying all the beauty and benefits Colorado has to offer. She hopes to expand travel adventures when possible pending progress of the pandemic being controlled. Sylvia lives in Louisville, Colo. Email: sydeku@msn.com Marijane Look England '71 teaches strategic management at UNL in the business college and will retire in a year or two. Gardening, weaving, knitting, and Kate the Kat occupy her spare time. She has two great adult kids, no grandkids, but four granddogs. Marijane shares that life is good. Email: marijane.england@gmail.com ALUMNAE NEWS (Continued on page 4)

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