Obituary of Neita V. Cochran

Neita V. Cochran, 105, a lifelong resident of this area, died Saturday, May 5, 2012, at Crestview Nursing and Rehab Center in West Branch. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City with burial to follow at the Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the funeral home on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Neita's memory to Crestview Nursing and Rehab Center in West Branch or Care Initiatives Hospice of Cedar Rapids. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Neita Velma Slezak was born June 21, 1906, the daughter of Joseph L. and Ota M. (Potter) Slezak. Raised in Oxford, she graduated from Oxford High School with the Class of 1925. In 1932, she moved to Iowa City where she met and married Russell Cochran during a double wedding ceremony shared with her brother, Harley on October 25, 1933. Neita and Russell lived all their married lives in Iowa City where she managed their rental properties. Neita was one that enjoyed life, a social butterfly you might say. She was a 55 year member of the First United Methodist Church in Iowa City, 55 year member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, a member of the Eagles Lodge, and former member of the Elks and VFW ladies. She and Russell enjoyed dancing, and were members of the Merimyx and Congenial 100 Dance Clubs. Neita enjoyed sewing, cooking, baking (especially kolaches for the lucky ones) throughout her many years. But most of all she loved her family, having been married to Russell over 51 years before his death; her son, Ron and all of his family, and of course her siblings and all of their families, she loved them all! Her family includes her daughter-in-law, Janet Cochran of West Branch; grandchildren, Sandra Taylor (Craig Bilben) of Otsego, MN; Keith Cochran (Denise) of Lone Tree; and Craig Cochran (Angie) of West Branch; great-grandchildren, Sara VanVickle (Wes), Curt Lanoue (Lisa Froemming), Steven Cochran (Emily), Amanda Calek (Matt), and Collin Cochran; one great-great-grandson, Noah Calek; sisters, Edna Hirte of Wisconsin; and Cleo Studt of Iowa City; and many nieces and nephews. Neita was preceded in death by her husband, Russell; son, Ronald, and brothers, Clyde Slezak and Harley Slezak. Neita's family would also like to acknowledge and thank all of those with Crestview Care Center and Care Initiatives Hospice who helped to provide compassionate and caring support to Neita and her family.