Wanda J Cochran

Born in Nashville, AR. on Aug. 31, 1930 as Wanda Jo Walden, the daughter of a farmer, Charles Hicks Walden, and selfless, caring mother, Addie Fruquay Walden. Wanda was next to the youngest of 7 children. After her early yrs of education, they moved to Benton, AR., where she started working at the State Hospital. It was there that she met her husband, Joseph Lee Cochran, and they were married on Oct. 17, 1952. They enjoyed 41 wonderful yrs. of marriage before his passing on Feb. 24, 1994. After their marriage in 1952, they moved to Lincoln, Neb., where they both were employed at the State Hosp., and where daughter Diana was born. They made their big move to Portland in 1956 and loved living in the Pacific N.W. where they always enjoyed camping as “snowbirds” in Death Valley and Arizona. Wanda was very involved in her church fellowship family and Powellhurst Baptist Church, serving countless hrs. in the kitchen and baking dozens of cupcakes at home to bring to various church functions. She became affectionately known as the “cupcake queen”. She was also very involved in the AWANA program, where she loved working with the kids, and was known as “Miss Wanda.” She especially enjoyed working in the AWANA store at church, and purchasing the stuffed animals and toys at deep discounts by “wheeling and dealing” on behalf of the AWANA program. Wanda also loved vegetable and flower gardening, and was especially known for her abundance of vegetables, roses, Clematis, and Dahlias, just to name a few. She was lovingly called “The Dahlia Queen.” Survivors include daughter Diana of Renton, WA., sister Phena of Portland, granddaughter Melissa and husband Seth of Oak Harbor, WA, great grandson Joseph and coming soon to be born in Feb., great granddaughter Evelyn Rose. Wanda is also survived by nieces, Betty, Susie, Mary, Sandra, Pamela, and Catherine. Also several great nieces and nephews. There will be a funeral service at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home on Monday, Nov. 18, 2013 at 1:30pm with a graveside service to follow at 3pm. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.