Ellen Cochran

ELLEN “Ellie” RUBY COCHRAN April 17th, 1928 – February 27th, 2018    Ellen “Ellie” Ruby Cochran, age 89, of Park Rapids, MN. passed away Feb. 27, 2018 at her home in Park Rapids with her family by her side.    Ellen was born April 17, 1928 to Arville and Isabelle Crosby in the little town of Osage, MN. She attended country school there before attending Park Rapids High School class of ‘46.    Ellie was united in marriage to Wayne Cochran in Wadena, MN on April 21, 1945. This union was blessed with four children: Rick, Jerry, Ginny and Tim.    She was an ambitious wife and mother and also a great business partner. She helped Wayne farm and start a dairy business, the Pine Region Dairy, in Park Rapids. They worked hand in hand for many years. When they needed extra money, Ellie worked as a waitress at Bracken’s Café, Frazey’s Clothing Store and Wilson’s Clothing Store. Ellie was also a longtime active member of Riverside United Methodist Church. She served as youth choir director under Rev. Phillips and Rev. Shannon.    She was a member of the Park Rapids Eagles Club Aerie #870 Auxiliary and also a member of the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post #212 Auxiliary. She was an avid bowler and bowled for the Citizen’s National Bank for many years.    Ellie had a great personality and was a very colorful person. She had a dream of owning a sandwich bar. In 1972 the dream started to become reality. Ellie and Wayne purchased the Old Royal Theatre and with a lot of hard work reality came true in Sept. of 1973. The Royal Bar was her name to fame. The bar was very successful for about 5 years but it was interfering with family life which was very important to her.    Mom loved holidays where the family would get together, eat and just enjoy each other. She was a great cook and a very humorous person. Laughter followed her around. She kept us all laughing. Ellie loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren with all her heart. She loved giving advice to those who asked. She was a devoted mom.    She will be greatly missed, but lovingly remembered by her daughter, Ginny (Jim) Christianson of Park Rapids, sons: Rick (Keila) Cochran of Asheville, NC, and Tim (Sheree) Cochran of Alexandria, MN; brother, Eddie Crosby of Minneapolis, MN; 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, extended family; Shelly and Dale Vadnis, LeeAnn Christenson, John Christenson, Brian and Hope Christenson. She will also be fondly remembered by her nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Ellie was the last living member of her Cochran generation.       Time passes, people leave, memories fade, but the heart never forgets.       Celebration of Life to be held at Riverside United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 20, 2018. Lunch to follow the service. Interment will be in the Greenwood cemetery. Please send all memorials to the Park Rapids Meals on Wheels. To leave online condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com