Memorial services for Raymond J. Cochlin of Albert Lea will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Kurt Farrell will officiate. Private interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Newry Township. Military honors will be accorded by Albert Lea veterans organizations. Friends may visit with family from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church.

Ray died on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, at Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea. He was 87. He had the joy of seeing all of his family and many of his friends in his last days.

He was born on March 5, 1930, in Blooming Prairie, the son of Dennis and Sarah (Cashman) Cochlin. After graduating from Blooming Prairie High School, Ray enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served his country in the Korean Conflict for more than four years before his honorable discharge.

On Aug. 6, 1955, Ray married Rosalie T. Caron at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newry. They made their home in Albert Lea, building a home in the old stables area, where they lived for more than 50 years.

Ray received plumbing training while in the service. He served as a journeyman, and then owned and operated Ray’s Plumbing for several years, before retiring in 1993.

For Ray, family always came first; he was always there standing beside them through all the joys and trials in life’s journey. He adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was a big supporter of the activities they participated in.

Always active, Ray enjoyed golfing, bowling, long walks, a good game of cribbage, following the Minnesota Twins, Vikings and Lynx, and being a part of the daily Hy-Vee breakfast club for more than 20 years. He was a member of St. Theodore Catholic Church, and American Legion Leo Carey Post 56 for more than 60 years. Over the years he was proud to have been a very generous donor for the American Red Cross blood drives.

He is survived by three children, Bill Cochlin of Woodbury, Kathy (Steve) Jensen of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Rich (Diana) Cochlin of Savage; grandchildren Erin (Adam) Koger of Woodbury, Eric Cochlin of Albert Lea, Andrew (LeAnn) Jensen of Grimes, Iowa, Michelle (Daniel) Engstrom, of Bettendorf, Iowa, Jonathan Jensen of Kansas City, Missouri, Sean Cochlin of Savage and Tia Cochlin of Chicago; great-grandchildren Kennedy and Madden Koger and Hudson Engstrom; sister-in-law, Deloris Caron of Owatonna; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rosalie; son, Dennis; and son, Robert Joseph in infancy.

Memorials suggested to Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice, St. Theodore Catholic Church or to the charity of donor’s choice.