Norma Jean (Riley) (Keyes) Cochran, 89, passed away on March 31, 2023 at her daughter’s home in Iowa City, Iowa, after a short illness. She was born in Mountain Grove on July 6, 1933 to Thomas E. and Leota (Adams) Riley and graduated from McKinley High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was married to Dale Stanley Cochran on March 3, 1957 and had five children, Beverly (Russell) Tang, Cindy (Lou Becker) Cochran, Darla (Greg) Gierczak, Joel Cochran and Kathy Cochran. She worked in housekeeping at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa before moving to California in 1989. She is survived by her five children; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sister, Lois (Don) Hay and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother, Larry (Linda) Keyes and his children and grandchildren; sister-in-law, Dorothy Cochran Sahr, and her children and grandchildren; and sister-in-law Ruby (Bob) Jedlicka’s children and grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband; her parents; brother-in-law, Charles Cochran; sister-in-law, Ruby Jedlicka; and grandsons, Mark Becker and Jordin Flory.
A Hawaiian-themed celebration of life will be held on April 15, 2023 at Palmer House Stable in Solon, Iowa. Everyone is encouraged to wear Hawaiian attire; leis will be provided. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. with services following. Interment will be held at 3 p.m. at Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family c/o Cindy Cochran or to Iowa City Hospice.
