Mary Ellen Cochren, 98, originally from Whiting, KS, passed away Sunday, May 5, 2024 at Villa St. Francis Nursing Home in Olathe, KS. She was born February 20, 1926 in Whiting, KS, the daughter of B. Ernest and Kathryn R. (Snyder) Williams.

Mary attended Whiting High School until her Junior year and graduated from Topeka High School in 1943. She spent 64 years in Kansas City, MO and lived in Kansas again since 2021. Mary was a wife, mother, grandmother and bankteller.

She was an original member of Nu Phi Mu Sorority and longtime member of WIBC (Women- International Bowling Congress).

Mary married Walter Wendell Cochren on August 26, 1949 in Atchison, KS. He preceded her in death on January 7, 1998 after 49 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her parents, B. Ernest and Kathryn Williams; 3 sisters, Caroline Grulke, Phyllis Denton and JoAnn Nelson; a brother, John Williams and son-in-law, Doug Miller.

Survivors include her 3 children, Steven Cochren (Nel) of Ames, IA, Colleen Miller of Kansas City, MO and Brad Cochren (Joyce) of Lenexa, KS; 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2024 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Private Family Burial will be at Springhill Cemetery in Whiting. Cards of Condolence may be sent c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.