Mary Cochren 1926-2024

Mary Ellen Cochren, 98, originally from Whiting, passed away Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Villa St. Francis Nursing Home in Olathe.

She was born Feb. 20, 1926 in Whiting, KS, the daughter of B. Ernest and Kathryn R. (Snyder) Williams. 

Mary attended Whiting High School until her junior year and graduated from Topeka High School in 1943. She spent 64 years in Kansas City, Mo., and lived in Kansas again since 2021. Mary was a wife, mother, grandmother and bank teller. 

She was an original member of Nu Phi Mu Sorority and longtime member of WIBC (Women’s International Bowling Congress).

Mary married Walter Wendell Cochren on Aug. 26, 1949, in Atchison. He preceded her in death on Jan. 7, 1998, after 49 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her parents, B. Ernest and Kathryn Williams; three sisters, Caroline Grulke, Phyllis Denton and JoAnn Nelson; a brother, John Williams; and a son-in-law, Doug Miller. 

Survivors include her three children, Steven Cochren (Nel) of Ames, Iowa, Colleen Miller of Kansas City, Mo., and Brad Cochren (Joyce) of Lenexa; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. 

Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 11 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Private family burial will be held in Springhill Cemetery in Whiting.

Cards of condolence may be sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com

(PAID OBITUARY)