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Eva Belle Cochran obituary, 9/9/05


Eva Belle Cochran, age 95 of Howard Lake, died Friday, Sept. 9, 2005 at the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Care Center.
Eva was born Dec. 22, 1909 at Windom, S.D. to Henry and Annette (Ridlon) Mistelski. She lost her mother when she was six months old. Unable to care for baby Eva, her father took her to Maple Lake to be raised by his parents, Karl and Susanna Mistelski. She spent her childhood with them, her aunt Tillie Reick, and her uncle Paul and aunt Myrtle Mistelski.
Eva’s grandfather died when she was nine years old. She continued to live with her grandmother until age 16, when she went to beauty school in Minneapolis.
Following school, she moved to Valley City, N.D., working there until age 18, when she returned to Maple Lake to marry Delbert Cochran. To this union, four children were born at home. It was during the Depression, and times were tough for the young family.
Delbert and Eva farmed in Waverly for most of their life, where Eva was a hard worker, helping to milk the cows, make hay, shock grain bundles, and husk corn by hand. The family raised chickens, and Eva used the egg money to purchase special things.
Eva was an excellent cook. Some of her children’s favorites were her homemade bread and butterscotch pie.
Always keeping a large garden and big strawberry patch, Eva did canning of all the fruits, vegetables, and also meat. She was always sure to have something on hand to serve company.
Laundry was done on a washboard by hand until they were able to purchase a washing machine powered by gasoline. The water was carried into the house from the outside and heated in a boiler on a woodburning stove. The family didn’t get electricity and water piped into the house until the mid 1950s.
Even with all the work she did, Eva found time to enjoy her crocheting and embroidering. She loved her cats and dogs. Eva always looked forward to family weddings and anniversaries, as they were a time to gather with family, celebrate, and take photos for those lasting memories.
In June of 1984, Eva moved into the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Care Center, where she resided until her death. Eva was treated with loving care and compassion by the entire staff during her stay there.
Eva is survived by a son, Arden (Betty) Cochran of Hector; daughters Joyce (Gordon) Shrode of Lester Prairie, and Mona (Bob) Fasching of Maple Grove; 17 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and 18 great-great-grandchildren.
She is further survived by a half brother, Calvin (Neva) Mistelski of Morristown, S.D.; and sisters-in-law Dorothy Cochran of Howard Lake and Evelyn Cochran of Minneapolis.
Eva was preceded in death by her parents; husband Delbert; son Gerald; grandson Lester Cochran; great-granddaughter Tonya Specken; and half sister Etsy.
Funeral services were Monday, Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. at Howard Lake Christian Church with Pastor Scott Yates officiating. Music was by Dennis Entinger. Interment followed in Highland Cemetery.
Casket bearers were Leonard Cochran, Dan Fasching, Larry Fasching, Jeanette Kegler, Mike Specken, and Linda Walinski.
Arrangements were by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake.

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