Mildred Hales Cochren-Sherwood, age 104, died Thursday, November 23, 2017, at Medicalodges in Holton, Kansas. Mildred was born June 24, 1913, to George and Jessie Tate Hales in Centralia, KS. She attended a one-room country school first through eighth grades. She and her sister, Alma, walked the 1 1/2 miles and often they were afraid that wolves would catch them as they went through fields and pastures. Mildred graduated from Centralia High School in 1932. She had to stay at home one year because she did not have the money to pay for school supplies. Determined to graduate, she worked at a restaurant before school, at noon, and in the evening. After graduation, she worked for a family doing the cooking, washing, cleaning, and caring for the children. She also taught Youth Sunday School at Centralia Methodist Church for many years.

At age 20, she began her career as a school teacher by taking a test that qualified her to teach. She taught in one-room country schools in Nemaha County. She walked to the schools because she did not have a car. When she was 28 years old she began teaching in Circleville, KS. She graduated from Washburn University with a degree in Elementary Education in 1961. She also taught at Pleasant Valley and Holton grade schools. Mildred was a teacher for 32 years.

On August 20, 1945, Mildred married Delmer Cochren of Circleville. He was a farmer. Mildred was teaching in Circleville. They both loved to dance and often went to The Moose in Topeka and other locations to dance to Big Band orchestras. There were many cribbage games with friends and family. Delmer and Mildred spent several years wintering in south Texas in their fifth wheeler after Mildred retired from teaching. While there, they were able to resume their love of dancing. They were married 47 years. He preceded her in death in 1993.

At age 88, Mildred married Glenn Sherwood of Larned, KS. She and Delmer had been friends with Glenn and his wife when they met wintering in Texas. Some years later, each had lost their mate to disease. Mildred moved to Larned with Glenn and made many new friends there. Later, they moved back to Circleville and lived on Mildred's farm. They spent several happy years together before his death in 2005.

Mildred was a member of the Circleville Methodist Church, UMW, Jackson County Retired Teachers, Delta Kappa Gamma, Ayli Bridge Club, Larned Lion's Club, Menninger Bible Study, Friends of Hospice, and Senior Citizens of Circleville.

Survivors include a daughter, Elaine Hawley of Shawnee, KS, Hal Cochren (Joyce) of Holton, four granddaughters, Kristi Kimmi (Tony), Karen Fletcher (Doug), Lora Hawley, and Allison Hawley; six great-grandchildren,

Alexis, Juan, Tarin, Taylor, Jadin, and Hunter; and two great, great grandchildren, Hendrix and Eve. A sister, Shirley Schafer (Dick) also survives, as well as nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and great, great nieces and nephews. Step-children survivors include Sherry Fortmeyer (Roger), Sheila Schmidt (Ralph), Bart Sherwood, and Brent Sherwood; numerous step-grandchildren, and step-great grandchildren.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, both of her husbands, brothers Kenneth Hales, Rex Hales, and sisters Alma Wenger, Helen Hays, and Audrey Davis.

Mildred was a seamstress, and made Elaine's dresses and coats when Elaine was young. She had also made clothes for her younger siblings, including her brothers. She did this without patterns from the store and fabric was sometimes flour sacks. She also made clothes for other people to earn extra money. Mildred made numerous beautiful quilts for her family after she retired. She also learned to crochet. She joined Hospice and sat with those who were very ill. She also volunteered at NECAP.

Mildred and Delmer spent several winters in south Texas in their fifth wheeler making new friends and returning to their love of dancing.

Her summers were partially spent going to the timber and picking wild blackberries and gooseberries. Cherries and apples were picked from trees that she and Delmer planted. Mildred made lots of pies from this fruit. She made pies for church events, for friends, and for family meals. She loved to cook for her family and friends. To have the people she loved sitting around her table delighted her!

Mildred's faith was very important to her and she knew that she had Salvation through Jesus and would enter heaven upon her earthly death.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 1, 2017 at Mercer Funeral Home, Holton, KS. Visitation will start at 1:00 pm with the service of celebration of Mildred's life at 2:00. Burial will follow in the Netawaka Cemetery, Netawaka, Kansas. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society or the Circleville Methodist Church c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. 270, Holton, Kansas 66436.