Karen Dee Cochran

Karen Dee Cochran, 66, of Ogallala, Nebraska, passed through Heaven's gates to be with the Lord September 25, 2026, at her home in Ogallala.

Karen was born November 16, 1959, at Ogallala Community Hospital in Ogallala, Nebraska, to Maurice Lee and Gladyth Christine (Wiseman) Staples. She grew up on the family ranch a few miles northwest of Arthur, where she and her parents enjoyed living in a new house built by their neighbor, Ted Frye. Karen had beautiful curly hair and was so cute as a little girl. She attended an Arthur County grade school and then high school in Arthur, alongside many of her friends.

Karen loved to ride her horse and do all the things that kids love to do. As she got a little older, she loved going to rodeos, where she competed in barrel racing, goat tying, and every other event she could get into. When she was old enough to run a tractor, she helped her parents in the hayfield, which she enjoyed.

Following her graduation from high school, Karen attended beauty school in Sidney, Nebraska, and became a beautician there. She married Dick Powell, and in time they were blessed with three sons, Levi Lynn, T.J., and Zane Allen.

Karen later married Rondell Cochran, and by that union, gained three sons, Shawn, Shane, and Shadd. The couple moved to several different places where Rondell was hired as manager of Sapp Bros. Petroleum, and they eventually bought a beautiful home in Ogallala. Rondell has managed Sapp Bros. there for many years, and Karen worked alongside him as secretary until a short time ago, when Lewy body dementia left her unable to work.

Karen was preceded in death by her father, Maurice Staples, who went to be with his Heavenly Father on March 11, 2025.

Left to cherish Karen's memory are her husband, Rondell Cochran of Ogallala; her sons, Levi (Tammy) Powell, T.J. (Krista) Powell, Zane (Colette) Powell, Shawn (Jeannine) Cochran, Shane (Whitney) Cochran, and Shadd (Amber) Cochran; her mother, Gladyth; nine grandchildren; along with many other family members and friends. Her family loved her with all their hearts and will miss her so much.

Memorial services will be held Monday, October 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Point Church in Ogallala, with Pastor Curtis Tschetter officiating. Casual dress is requested for the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Grace Point Church Women's Group in Karen's memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.