Betty Eleanor (Wright) Cochran passed away in her sleep on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, in Yuma, Arizona, after winning her battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
She was born on November 18, 1934 to Dale L. and Goldie (Blodgett) Wright, Betty was the eldest of two. She and her brother, Melvin, grew up on farms in the Wheatland, Wyoming area, enjoying their rural upbringing. She graduated from Wheatland High School in 1953 and began working at the Stock Growers’ Bank. Shortly thereafter, she began dating classmate, Glendal Cochran, and they were married on November 14, 1954. The young couple happily welcomed three children – two girls, Marilyn and Susan, and one boy, Steven – only finally finding their family complete with the adoption of their youngest son, Michael. The family moved from Wheatland to Torrington in 1968, where all four children graduated high school. In 1973, Glendal and Betty purchased land near Laramie Peak where they went on to build a home where they spent most weekends with family and friends, and which is still being enjoyed to this day as the family treasure it is.
Betty earned degrees in secretarial science and cosmetology from Eastern Wyoming College. She enjoyed cutting and styling hair for anyone who asked, especially her time spent as a hairdresser for the residents at the Goshen County Nursing Home and her homebound clients. She was a longtime member of the Wyoming Homemakers Extension Club, and was awarded Goshen County’s Quealy Award in 1983 to honor her leadership and community service. She enjoyed her time as a volunteer 4-H leader in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, and went on to help her granddaughter in the 90s with projects from sewing to baking. She used her talents in music to play the organ, piano, and accordion at multiple churches and gatherings throughout her lifetime, contributed dozens upon dozens of dishes for potlucks and carry-ins, and baked a lemon meringue pie for her church group every Friday. She was an incredible seamstress, cross stitcher, crocheter, and occasional knitter, never without a project to keep her hands busy. She created hundreds of dresses for her granddaughters and the daughters and granddaughters of numerous family and friends. In her later years, Betty employed her lifelong artistic talents to producing many cherished oil paintings, mostly of landscapes from her most favorite places. She loved polka, ice cream, daytime television, being a snowbird, and most of all, spending hours visiting with her many family and friends.
Left to share her memories and carry on her legacy is Glendal, her husband of 63 years; her daughter, Marilyn Shoemaker, her husband Robert “Bob,” and their children Becky Boersma (Scott), Anne Petroski (Gregory “Bubba,” and children Ryland Petroski, Carter Herb, and Lexi Petroski) all of Wheatland, and Ryan Shoemaker (Sahala) of Casper, Wyoming; daughter, Susan “Sue” Cochran, and her daughter Erin Cochran of Phoenix, Arizona; son, Steven “Steve” Cochran, of Cokeville, Wyoming and his daughters Laura Faulkner (James) of Mobile, Alabama, and April Cochran of Provo, Utah; son, Michael “Mike” Cochran of Riverton, Wyoming; her “adopted daughter,” Joni Burd (Valen and children Katy and Levi) of Phoenix, Arizona; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
After years of long awaited anticipation, Betty joins in heaven, her parents; beloved brother, Mel; her grandparents; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She won her battle. The disease got her body, but Jesus got her soul.
After a private burial, a celebration of life will be planned for later this summer in Wyoming.
In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations in her memory to Hospice of Yuma, 1824 South 8th Avenue, Yuma, Arizona 85364 or to the Alzheimer’s Association of Wyoming, 2232 Dell Range Boulevard, Suite 220, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009, or to the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at gormanfh.com.
