- Date Of Birth: November 5, 1925
- Date Of Death: June 25, 2016
- State: Iowa
Lorna Marie (Stewart) Cochran was born November 5, 1925, after her parents’, Lee and Freda Stewart’s, marriage in July, 1925.
She was the oldest child of nine- her siblings were Reva, Rexine, Betty, Dorothy, Raymond, Eugene, Joan (pronounced Jo-Ann), and Harry, who died in infancy.
Lorna’s first memory was of being on bottom land near the main branch of Medicine Creek in
Wayne County, IA. She attended Sewell school until fifth grade; she graduated eighth grade at Logchain School after a move by her family. Lorna loved reading (her favorite subject) and read voraciously throughout her life, passing this love to her children.
Her mother, Freda, succumbed to breast cancer when Lorna was fourteen years of age. At that time, she took over the care of her seven younger siblings. In order to sew clothes for her family, Lorna helped her father pick corn in order to get money to buy a sewing machine. At the age of 24, she left home after her father’s remarriage to Viola Jennings.
She moved to Chariton, and worked at the Quality Bakery and the telephone office before her marriage to Ross Cochran on July 12, 1953.
To this marriage were born Carol, in 1954, and Harley, in 1955. Lorna and Ross worked hard on the family farm–she with gardening, baking, sewing, cooking for family and work crews, and raising chickens.
Family was important to Lorna. She was a strong presence in both her immediate and extended family and always made an effort to attend events and reunions. She instilled a “can-do” attitude in her children and, even in her most difficult times, shared a positive outlook. She never regretted raising her younger siblings, but did regret the interruption in her education, and completed her G.E.D. when her own children were in college.
She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much; when her granddaughters were growing up, she would arrange a special week to spend with each and loved to teach them stitchery and baking.
God called Lorna to Heaven on June 25, 2016, where she will join her parents, two sisters, and three brothers. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends.
