Bud Cochran, age 79 of Tracy, passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2023 surrounded by family at Prairie View Health Care Center in Tracy after a short battle with cancer. Memorial Services were Monday, June 5, 2023, at Tracy Lutheran Church. Interment will be in the Slayton Memorial Gardens at a later date. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Ralph “Bud” Howard Cochran was born January 18, 1944 to Hermina (Tuin) Cochran and the late Ralph Cochran in Slayton, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith. Bud attended Sunrise Currie Country School, District 1 from K-8th grade and continued his education at Tracy High School.
He grew up at the beautiful House of Seven Gables on Bloody Lake. As a youngster, he could be found outside playing and working with his brothers and cousins. During his teenage years, he and his brother Jerald spent time together working at the Tepeeotah Roller-skating Hall. Bud married Kay Virginia Baumann on October 27, 1962 in Springfield. To this union, four children were born. Bud spent 25 years at Central Livestock in Tracy and many years at the Tracy Country Club, hauling iron and doing community snow removal. Hunting/Trapping, Fishing and Pontoon rides were some of his favorites. Going to auctions and finding good rummage sales were also something Bud looked forward to.
He was very proud of his garden and enjoyed donating many items to the local food shelf, family and friends. He always planted too much. Bud was a jokester and was always on the go. Grass never grew under him, and he didn’t stay in one place too long. He enjoyed socializing with the guys at morning coffee and going to casinos with his sister, Laurie and late mother. Bud was famous for sneaking out, especially after a good meal filled him up. He shared a love for animals and a special bond with his dog and friend, Peanut. He never got too far without Peanut alongside him. Spending time with his family was special to him and he loved all his “littles” aka grandbabies.
Bud is survived by his wife Kay of 60 years; children: Lori (Todd) Gilb of Walnut Grove, Linda (Kevin) Engelkes and Lonnie (Jolene) Cochran both of Tracy; 13 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; siblings: Jerald Cochran of Masa, AZ, Bill (Becky) of Farmington and Laurel (David) Jorgenson of Westbrook; siblings-in-law: Lonnie Buschow of Wells, Denny (Diane) Baumann of Phoenix, AZ, Chuck (Deb) Amundrud of Northfield, and Lonnie (Connie) Piche of Hudson, WI; aunt Doris Schreier; and many nephews, nieces, cousins and special friends.
He is preceded in death by his father Ralph Cochran, mother Hermina Leysen, dad Bill Leysen, daughter Lesia Baird, sisters-in-law Sandy Cochran and Karen Buschow, parents-in-law: Archie & Viola Baumann, and both sets of his grandparents.