Roberta Elizabeth (White) Cochran, 74, passed away Monday, October 20, 2014 at her home in Flandreau. She was born February 27, 1940 at Sisseton, SD to Irene White Elton. Roberta attended school in Wahpeton and the Flandreau Indian School where she met Gary Cochran Sr. in 1957. They were married on August 15, 1958 at Chinook, MT. They moved to Flandreau where she worked at the Flandreau Indian School in the girl's dorm. She then worked for food services at FIS until she retired in 1997. Roberta went to Haskell on December 16, 1997 where she received an award from the United States Department of the Interior for superior services. Roberta also worked at the Royal River bingo concession stand for 14 years. Her husband preceded her in death on July 22, 1998. Roberta enjoyed playing bingo and spending time with her grandchildren and her family.


Roberta is survived by two daughters, Juanita Wakeman and Roxanne Cochran, both of Flandreau; three sons, Gary Jr., Flandreau, Joe, Sioux Falls and James, Flandreau; 22 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; one brother Lyle Elton of Arizona, one sister Karen Janish of Sisseton and two half-sisters, Stephanie and Jessica of the Twin Cities. She was preceded by her husband Gary Cochran, Sr., one son Jeff, one brother Arthur Elton, two grandchildren, Danielle and Jeffrey Marshall and her mother Irene White Elton.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Thursday, October 23, 2014 at Eastman Hall, Flandreau, with burial in First Presbyterian Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 pm with a 7:00 pm Wake service Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at Skroch Funeral Chapel and beginning again Thursday at 11:00 am at Eastman Hall.