Hazel Cochran

hazel cochran
Hazel Claire Cochran, age 87, of New Hampton peacefully passed to the Lord's hands on Sunday, July 20, 2014, at the New Hampton Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. She was surrounded by her loving family in her departure. Hazel was born to Severt and Henrietta (Robinson) Roberson on May 10, 1927, on the family farm south of Jerico, Iowa, the third of five children. Hazel grew up attending elementary school in a one room school house near the family home, and was confirmed in the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod at Jerico Lutheran Church in 1940. While attending New Hampton High School, where she graduated in 1945, she stayed with her grandparents in New Hampton. In May 1945, her family was involved in an automobile accident that took her mother's life and required several months of rehabilitation for Hazel and her sister Donna. Following high school, she worked in her family's coal business. On February 6, 1949, she was wed to Oliver "Bud" Cochran at Jerico Lutheran Church. Together they ran the family farm northeast of New Hampton. They raised five children - Connie, William ("Merle"), Sharon, Lee, and Annette. Hazel made a point of saying that she had no favorite child - she loved them all equally. She actively supported her family's religious, 4-H, and school activities. She enjoyed family vacations in Clear Lake, Minnesota, South Dakota, Colorado, and Virginia. In recent years, she was able to travel to Washington, Tennessee, Illinois, Arizona, and North Carolina to spend time with family. In 1968, Hazel began working for Carey Vrzak Realtors in New Hampton and retired in 1993 after 25 years of service. Following her retirement, she volunteered at the New Hampton Senior Community Center, Treasure Chest, and Jerico Lutheran Church Ladies Auxiliary group. Her priorities in life were her belief in the Lord, raising a good family in a welcoming home, always making sure that everyone had enough to eat, cooking and baking, especially making lefse, and a great card game with family and friends. Family members celebrating her life include children William (Pam) Cochran of Cedar Falls, IA, Sharon (Joe) Haskovec of Youngtown, AZ, Lee (Tammy) Cochran of Newton, IA, and Annette Parker of Park Ridge, IL; her grandchildren Ryan Wendel of Mankato, MN, Jason (Michaela) Wendel of Whittemore, IA, Stacy Cochran (James MacDiarmid) of New York, NY, Shayne Cochran of Cedar Falls, IA, Lyndsey Cochran of West Des Moines, IA, Jeremy (Natalie) Haskovec of Peoria, AZ, Jarrett (Angie) Haskovec of Chandler, AZ, Nolan Haskovec of New York, NY, Jesse Cochran and Shelbey Cochran of Newton, IA, and Claire Parker and Katherine Parker of Park Ridge, IL; eight great-grandchildren; her son-in-law Robert Wendel; her sister Sibyl (Manly) Fliger of Spokane, WA; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank all family and friends for their visits, prayers, and thoughtfulness throughout her life, especially during her recent challenges. She was preceded in death by her parents, Severt and Henrietta Roberson, her husband, Oliver Cochran (October 1999), daughter Connie (Cochran) Wendel (September 1984), brother, James Roberson (June 1996), sisters Donna (Roberson) Jones (June 1994) and Anne (Roberson) Grace (January 2000).

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  1. My deepest sympathy to the entire Cochran family as you celebrate Hazels life. She was one of the sweetest, most caring women I have ever known, and I feel so blessed to have such wonderful memories with her and your family. I will forever cherish the times I have spent with her over the years, and am forever grateful that she shared her lefse making talents with me! Hazel touched the lives of everyone who knew her, and will forever live on in our hearts. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Much love, Rachel Ysbrand

  2. My deepest sympathy to the Cochran family. I had many great conversations with Hazel. She was truly a kind woman and she will be missed.

  3. Annette, I feel your pain. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Remember the good times and cherish the memories.

  4. Annette, my deepest sympathies as I recall the stories you shared of the very fond memories of your mother and hero. I know you will miss her forever. Bless you all. Barbara Bauer

  5. I will never forget all the times chatting with Hazel. A special moment was 2 years ago when we were making lefse, and she came over to supervise. Put an apron on her, she told us how it was done! She will be truly missed, what a lovely woman she was. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Kris Meyer

  6. May the memories of your loved one be the source of your comfort in the days ahead. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. David and Jeanne Roder

  7. My deepest sympathy to the whole Cochran family. Let your memories and faith sustain you in this difficult time.

  8. My favorite time with Aunt Hazel was in Spokane with Aunt Anne and Aunt Sibyl-so many stories and laughter-Hazel and I shared a bedroom and talked all night-such a fun slumber party. Such a good, strong, loving, Christian woman.

  9. My love and prayers go out to all of Hazels beautiful family. Im so thankful that I got to know this truly special person.

  10. My sympathy to the entire Cochran Family. I got to know all of you through church, 4-H, school, and baling hay for many years at your place. I always enjoyed getting together with your family and have many wonderful memories of your Mom (and Dad). I know my mother will miss Hazel very much. She was one of her best and dearest friends! They were able to share family stories these many years and developed a special bond as they both progressed down the bumpy road of growing older. God Bless Her memory! Greg Costello

  11. Our deepest sympathy on your loss of Hazel, our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

  12. Sharon and other family members; Know that you are in my prayers and keep the memories alive as you all keep telling stories of the good times and even the not so good; all of them are special in some way. Know that she is at peace with her maker and will join those who have gone before her. Godspeed!! Sharon Carpenter

  13. We are so saddened to hear of Hazels passing. She was certainly welcomed into the arms of the Lord. Our hearts go out to those of you left behind, but you will all be reunited with family again. We wish that we could do or say something to ease your pain, just keep all the memories close to your heart. Laugh when you remember the fun times your family spent together. God will help you get through this difficult time. God bless you – we love you!!! Ovey Duce

  14. Whenever I visited with Hazel at Fareway or about town, she was always so warm, caring and kind. I know she will be sadly missed but fondly remembered.my heartfelt condolences to the family. Karen (Roths) Reicks

  15. Hazel was such a sweet Lady and enjoyed visiting with her during trips to the Nursing home. She was truly an inspiration and had many great stories to tell about her family. You all were loved by such a wonderful women.

  16. Hazels first words to me when I visited her recently in the hospital were “God Bless you for coming to see me!” She was such a wonderful lady and never changed. She was a thoughtful, hard working wife and mother. I stayed at her home on many occasions while growing up being a very close friend of her daughter Connie. May she rest in peace with Connie now. I will miss her. Judy Berentsen

  17. The Merle and Dolly Gorman family would like to express our sympathies to the entire Cochran family. We have always loved and enjoyed Hazel. She was a very fine lady.

  18. The Lord be with you as you say good bye to your mom today. Special greetings to Lee. Sincerely, Kim Anderson OBrien

  19. Sharon and family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. She was a wonderful person and my mother loved to visit with her when she lived out in the apartment by the high school. May you find comfort that she is with the Lord.

  20. No heart breaks alone for God is always near. When a prayer is whispered God is always there to hear. When sorrows overwhelming, He comforts tenderly. A single tear never falls that he does not hear.(Psalms 652)

  21. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Hazels family. She was such a special lady, always had time to stop and chat. Her love and interest in her family was always evident. Hazel touched many people as one can see reading her celebration wall. Larry and Marcia Pitzenberger

  22. We want to extend our sympathy to the Cochran family. She was a special friend to Duanes mother years ago. You are in our prayers. Duane Pat Lynch


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