Illa Mae (Cochran) Warner was born in McCook on May 3, 1938, and went home to be with her Lord on Oct. 13, 2023.
She was the youngest child born to Harry and Lillian Mac (Myers) Cochran. Illa grew up in the Curtis area, attending country grade schools and the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture at Curtis. She married James Shaffer in 1955. To this union, three children were born: Jim, Joni and Jeffrey.
On April 29, 1983, Illa and Leland “Bud” Warner were married. They made their first home in Gering where they were members of Calvary Evangelical Free Church. In 1985, they moved to Imperial to be nearer to Mom Cochran. They moved to North Platte in 1991. Illa worked at Brown's Shoe Fit for 10 years and at Rebecca's Rose Garden for six years.
Illa asked Jesus into her heart as her Savior on July 18, 1982. She was a member of Bethel Evangelical Free Church where she had served on several committees and attended Bible studies. She also enjoyed her flowers, reading and writing poetry. Bud and Illa belonged to a Bible study group, Schroeder's Warriors, that became a small family to them.
One of Illa's joys was entertaining friends with her outstanding cooking. She had a reputation in church for her outstanding cooking.
Preceding Illa in death were her parents; grandson, Matthew Shaffer; sisters and brothers-in-law, Lavon (Dean) Woody and Ramona (Ray) Wlaschin: her sister, Margery Cochran; brother and sister-in-law, Harold (Maxine) Cochran; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dale and Evelyn Berry; and in-laws, Clay and Dessa Warner.
Left to mourn Illa's passing are her husband, Bud: daughter, Joni (Mike) Sigwing of Gering; sons, Jim (Roz) Shaffer of Paxton and Jeff (Jenny) Shaffer of Las Vegas; grandchildren, Amy Mae (Nick) Pullens, Ashley (Tony) Reed, Amber (Andre) Dowdell, Jamey Shaffer, Nick Shaffer, Jennifer Shaffer, Joshua (Chris) Shaffer, Alicia (Luke) Peterson and Alex Shaffer; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Drew, Ellie, Emma, Avaya Mae, Quincy, Kiara, Knox and DiCaprio; and great-great-grandchild, Andi McNeff; her sister, Ruby (Keith) Sailors; many nieces, nephews and friends; step-children, Scott (Teri) Warner of Hawaii, Dixie (David) Scharf of Lincoln, Jeff (Michelle) Warner of Independence, Missouri, and Valerie Rexus of Gering; step-grandchildren, Ryan (Kenette) Scharf, Brooks Scharf, Baillie (Jeff) Reisberg, Lindsey (Brian) Ellis, Cole (Stephanie) Coplen and Katy Warner; step-great-grandchildren, Will, Kate, Jackson, Jacob, Hunter, Aubrey, Libby, Harper, Reagan, Bently, Teagan and Dillon.
Memorials are suggested to the Bethel Church or KJTF Christian Radio. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.
Funeral service is at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Bethel Evangelical Free Church in North Platte with Pastor Noah Palmer and Pastor Geoff Sanfford officiating. Burial is at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, near Maxwell. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.