Thomas Orton Cochrane

Thomas Orton Cochrane died of an apparent heart attack while playing his beloved game of golf on September 12, 2017. Telling his golf buddy he was “a little tired  “ and that he “ would  sit this one out,”  he laid his head to the side , smiled, and went to eternal rest.  Paramedics quickly arrived and he was flown to Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire; despite all efforts he did not regain consciousness.  He had recently celebrated his 87th birthday.

Tom is survived by his four children:  daughter Lorraine (Martin) Gohr of Ferris, TX; son Steven(Jennifer) Cochrane , of Richmond, VA ;  son Stuart ( Toni) Cochrane of Ft. Dodge, IA ; son John ( Kathleen) Cochrane of Mt. Vernon, IA ; nephew Martin ( Lee Ann Sucht) Udisches of Belmont, CA; 14 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.   He is preceded in death by his wife Joan and brother in law John Anthony Udisches of Cupertino, CA.

Tom was born Sept.8, 1930 in Portage, WI to Jack DeGraff Cochrane and Mildred Orton Cochrane.  After graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1953 with a degree in soil conservation and agricultural economics, he was married to the love of his life Joan Carol Udisches .  He spent time in Virginia and in Japan serving his country in the United States Army.  He returned home to devote himself to various agriculturally related businesses culminating in work as a lobbyist and Executive Director for the Minnesota Agriculture Association.    Living and working in various Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin cities he was always an integral part of his communities and a lovingly engaged family man. Retirement in Chetek, Wisconsin with Joan allowed him to be active in his church, Chetek Lutheran ,  cheer on his Badgers, read, fish and golf to his heart’s content.   Losing his wife was such a great sorrow, but he graciously remained supportive of his many friends and neighbors there. That Joan and Tom are together now in heaven is of great comfort.  We mourn our losses but remain joyful at the lively hope of Christ’s promise and many cherished memories from a man who cared and shared so much for family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at Chetek Lutheran Church on September 30, 2017 at 3 pm.  Visitation from 1 pm -3pm will precede the service. Pastor Guy Redfield will be officiating.  Military Honors will be accorded by the Howard-Campbell-Ganske American Legion Post #179 following the service.  Memorials may be made to Chetek Lutheran Church or Calhoun Memorial Library in Chetek, WI.

Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.