Anna Mae Cochnar, 80, of Grand Island, died Saturday, August 16, 2014 at St. Francis Medical Center with her family by her side.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am Thursday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Father Todd Philipsen will officiate. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Wednesday at Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home with a 7 pm scripture wake service.
Memorials are suggested to the family's choice.
Mrs. Cochnar was born on March 17, 1934 at Arcadia, Nebraska to Michael and Anna (Badura) Carkoski. She grew up and received her education in Loup City, graduating from Loup City High School in 1951. She attended Duchesne College and graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing in 1955. Following nursing school she began working at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
Anna Mae was united in marriage to James F. Cochnar on August 18, 1956 in Loup City. The couple made their home in Kearney, before moving to Grand Island. After raising her eight children, Anna Mae returned to nursing, working at St. Francis Hospital and the Grand Island Veterans' Home for over 20 years. She retired in 1996. Mr. Cochnar preceded her in death on July 19, 2012.
Anna Mae loved to sew, cook, work with crafts, garden, nature watch and was an avid pro wrestling fan. She also was an animal lover and enjoyed raising chickens, pigeons and finches. She dearly loved her two Chihuahuas, Peanut and Babe. Her greatest love was her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, where she was active in the Altar Society. She was a Den Mother for Cub Scouts and also belonged to the Eagles Club and the Society of Miraculous Medal.
Survivors include her four sons, James M. Cochnar of Grand Island, John (Angela) Cochnar of Grand Island, Joseph (Cathy) Cochnar of Grand Island, and Jerome (special friend Deb) of Grand Island; four daughters, Kathy Cochnar of Grand Island, Connie Cochnar of Grand Island, Annie (Alan) Kahle of Minden, and Cindy (John) Taylor of Centennial, WY; grandchildren: Chris (Andrea) Cochnar, Kayla (Rylan) Little, Joey Cochnar, Richard Cochnar, Stephanie (Heath) Cutler, John Kahle, and Savannah Kahle; four great grandchildren: Kristin Cochnar, Addison Cochnar, Keegan Kahle and Rylan Cutler; adopted son, David Willard; a sister, Dorothy Ann (Robert) Pape of Grand Island; a sister-in-law, Mary Carkoski of Loup City; and several nieces and nephews.
Anna Mae was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James; and a brother, Jerome Carkoski.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am Thursday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Father Todd Philipsen will officiate. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Wednesday at Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home with a 7 pm scripture wake service.
Memorials are suggested to the family's choice.