Christine S. Cochran

Chris Cochran of Arlington passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord Jesus on October 31, 2026. She was born at Swedish Hospital in Seattle on March 17, 1943, to Palmer and Agnes Molstad. She liked to say she was a Norwegian born in a Swedish hospital on an Irish holiday.

She grew up north of Arlington on Tronson Road with her parents and brothers, Ivan and Melvin, surrounded by uncles, aunts, cousins, and neighborhood kids. These early loved ones were very important to her, and she remained close to them throughout her life.

In high school she dated Dennis Riker, whom she later married. Together they raised their three children, Jim, Ken, and Kelly, next door to where Chris grew up. She always had “20,000” things to do: tending the house, caring for cows and pigs, sewing, organizing the community blood bank, supporting kids' sports, camping, fishing, bowling, swimming in the Pilchuck, and hosting big holiday gatherings with homemade krumkake and lefse.

In 1976, Melvin invited her to a church he had begun attending, Victoria Chapel (now Bryant Community Church). There she heard the gospel and was baptized in the Pilchuck on August 6, 1978. Her faith defined her, and anyone who knew her long enough was sure to hear about Jesus. She faithfully shared that faith with her children.

As her children grew older, she went to work first at Arlington Clothing, then at Johnny's Grocery, and finally at Boeing, where she worked for 15 years using CATIA software to design wire bundle routing for aircraft. She was very proud of her work there.

At an Arlington High School class reunion in 1991, she reconnected with the love of her life, Jim Cochran. They married the following year in an outdoor ceremony at Loyal Heights Schoolhouse. Together they filled their lives with family and friends, camping, fishing, and later, after retirement, traveling the country in their RV and spending winters in Arizona. Chris continued in the Sewing Club, and together they remained active in Bryant Community Church.

Chris was truly a force of life for all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed. We will always remember her ability to laugh at herself and the love she showed those around her. Always in motion, she was arranging things right up to the end.

She is survived by her husband, Jim; brothers Ivan Molstad (Marian) and Melvin Molstad (Ann); sons Jim Riker (Cheryl) of Arizona and Ken Riker (Susan) of Everett; daughter Kelly Urrabazo (Roger) of California; stepson Jim Cochran (Yvette) of Republic; and stepdaughter Brenda Hoxie (Brian) of New York and 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at Bryant Community Church, followed by interment at Loyal Heights Cemetery.