Dolores A. Cochran

Dolores Cochran, age 91 passed away Friday, April 25, 2014 at her home in Fargo, ND.

Dolores Cochran was born on January 31, 1923 on a farm about five miles northwest of Casselton, ND. She was one of ten children born to Joe & Adeline Farrell of Casselton, ND. She went to grade school at St Anthony’s in Fargo, ND and also attended school at Sacred Heart Academy in Fargo. When she was 14 years old, her family moved to a farm in Buffalo, ND. Dolores helped raise her younger siblings, and helped out with all housework, cooking and gardening until her younger brothers and sisters were old enough to take over, then she got a job helping the neighbors with their work. It was while working on the farm as a teenager that she met the love of her life, Willis Cochran. After a year of dating, they were married on May 20, 1941. In 1944 when Willis had to go serve his country in World War II, Dolores lived in Valley City where she had a college girl live right with her to help care for her two small children. Once her husband returned home from the war, they moved to Page and made their home there until 2006, where they raised nine children together.

Willis and Dolores would plant a huge garden of flowers and vegetables and enjoyed sharing them with all the people in Page. Dolores did a lot of canning and was famous for her chokecherry jelly. She was a wonderful cook and baked fresh breads, desserts, pies and cookies that were the talk of the town. Dolores thoroughly enjoyed eating, especially desserts of any kind, and the day was just about perfect if it included a Dairy Queen!

Dolores was an active member of the Christian Mothers at the Page Catholic Church. Dolores has been a member of TOPS weight loss club for several years.

In May 2006, Willis and Dolores moved to Fargo, ND to be close to doctors. Their first apartment was at Trollwood Village in north Fargo and then later moved to River Square Apartments in south Fargo. Dolores has established so many wonderful friendships at River Square and she thinks of them as a second family as they have a regular schedule of coffee time, potluck dinners, playing dominos and cards. She was so kind and thoughtful to everyone she met that she will be missed by so many and loved forever. One of the things Dolores is the most proud of is her children and family. She really enjoyed traveling to see her children and attend family events. In January of 2009, she was able to take the trip of her dreams to Hawaii and still talked about how beautiful it was.

She is survived by son Larry (Dot) of Waverly, TN, daughter Nancy (Ted) of Deer Creek, MN, daughters Mary (Phil) & Susan both of Brooklyn Park, MN, son Wayne (Denise) of Mandan, ND, sons Bruce (Sheryl) & Richard (Cheryl) both of Elm Creek, NE and daughter, Carol (Ken) of Prairie Rose, ND. She also leaves to mourn her death, 28 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Dolores is also survived by her brothers Howard, Bob, Roger, and Myron, and sisters Norma and Marilyn.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Adeline Farrell; husband of 67 years, Willis Cochran; daughter, Janet Froelich; brothers, Ralph and Rodney; and sister, Eileen.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make a donation to Red River Valley Hospice to thank them for all the loving care they gave our mother.