Francis “Fran” J. Cobian, Sheboygan WI, age 89 passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026.
Fran was born April 8, 1937, in River Falls, Wisconsin, the son of the late Bernard “Ben” and Mary Reis Cobian. He was the seventh of nine children that grew up on the farm. He graduated from River Falls High School in 1955; from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls in 1959; and from the University of Minnesota with a Master of Science degree in Dairy Industries in 1968. He met Joyce L. Rother at a dance in Vermillion, Minnesota in May,1957. On May 7, 1960 she became his permanent dance partner for life; as his wife. They were married at St. Mathias Catholic Church in Hampton, Minnesota. They were blessed with four children, Kevin, Karen, Robert and Daniel. Fran was a proud veteran of the Army National Guard serving eight years (1955-1963) which included active duty during the Berlin crises.
Growing up on a farm in Pierce County, he soon learned his passion for life was serving the farmers and directed his education toward that goal. He lived the cooperative philosophy to serve the dairy producer. He worked 39 years in the food industry, with 30 years of service with Lake to Lake Dairy/Land O’Lakes, Inc. His dedication and expertise brought him many leadership roles: Plant Manager, Director of Operations, and Director of Engineering. The six plants, under his direction, each manufactured milk into various quality dairy products which included USDA “AA” cheddar cheese and became recognized world-wide. This led him to serve on several dairy industry boards and education boards, with the goal to help improve the dairy industry. Fran was well respected by his team and industry peers. Fran retired from Land O’Lakes in November 1998. In 2000 he received the Wisconsin Dairy Products Association President’s Award as “Dairy Industries Man of the Year.” His quick, witty, one-lined jokes brought laughter to many. In retirement, he and Joyce enjoyed traveling extensively visiting all 50 states, seven Canadian Provinces and over 50 other countries spanning six continents. The conversations always included his sharing how proud he was of his children and grandchildren and their accomplishments. He faithfully traveled to many of their special activities. For several years, Fran played both fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball and enjoyed coaching his sons’ baseball teams. Fran and Joyce loved to dance and it remained priority #1 for entertainment. This deep passion brought them many friends as they traveled along the way. Fran was an avid sports fan relative to baseball, basketball, football and golf at all levels and loved to play cards.
Volunteering his time to give back to the community was important. He served 25 years in Kiwanis and more than 20 years at St. Peter Claver’s Food Pantry, and several years doing church lawn maintenance.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be missed by all those who knew him and were touched by his life.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce of 66 years; children, Kevin of Colorado Springs, CO, Karen (Brian) Johnson of New Berlin, WI, Robert (Tamlynn) of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Daniel (Jane) of West Bend, WI; grandchildren, Eric Cobian of Sheboygan, WI, Ty (Jessica) Johnson of Brookfield, WI, Trevor Johnson of Brookfield, WI, Tia (William) Adamson of Corcoran, MN, Shannon (Jonathan) Schroeder of Horicon, WI, Morgan Cobian of West Bend, WI, Joshua Cobian of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Benjamin Cobian of Inver Grove Heights, MN; greatgrandchildren, Baker, Blair and Bennett Johnson; sister, Marlys (Herbert) Tauchen of Bonduel, WI; brother, Kenneth (Susan) Cobian of St. Anthony, MN; sister-in-law, Irma Cobian of Elkhorn, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Bernardine, Mary Helen Neaton and Mildred Drewiske; three brothers, Herbert, Norman and Bernard; brothers-in-law, Bernard Drewiske and Joe Neaton.
Visitation will be held at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 1439 S. 12th St., Sheboygan, on Thursday, August 20, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. Fran’s earthly remains will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery, Sheboygan.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for St. Peter Claver Food Pantry, Sheboygan or a charity of your choice.
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