Sherwin Arden Cohrs

Sherwin Cohrs
 

Sherwin Arden Cohrs, our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025, at the age of 90.

Born on February 27, 1935 to Robert and Agnes Cohrs, Sherwin grew up in Westbrook MN, graduating from Westbrook High School in 1953. Following high school he served in the U.S. Marine Corps.  He married Leora (Lee) Spielman on February 13, 1960. In their early years of marriage, the couple moved frequently for Sherwin’s work in building hospitals and university school buildings. They began raising their family along the way. 

They settled in Marshall, MN for some time then eventually to Elk River, MN in 1971, where he began his career at Cretex Companies, serving as the plant superintendent at Elk River Concrete Products then later as a field representative. He retired from Cretex in 1998. He and Lee were fortunate enough to live the rest of their lives together in the Elk River area until Lee’s passing in 2024, including 40 of those years at their beloved home on Proctor Road. For the last six years, they enjoyed their apartment at Riverview Landing. They were blessed with the friendships made and the support given during their time there.    

Sherwin was a man of many talents and interests. He was a skilled craftsman, with a passion for woodworking and home improvement projects, big or small. He was our “go-to-guy”, always willing to lend a helping hand, sharing his knowledge and expertise. Sherwin loved the outdoors, finding great joy in deer hunting and cherished time at the cabin. He and Lee loved their many years of playing in their 500 card club. They enjoyed traveling to such places as Hawaii, Arizona, Alaska and Las Vegas. A gifted storyteller, Sherwin loved sharing tales from his past. He always made time for conversation and had a genuine interest in hearing about others’ lives and families. 

Sherwin and Lee, married for 64 years, were a great example of a loving marriage and were rarely apart. In their later years, Sherwin showed amazing devotion to Lee’s care.  Sherwin took great pride in his kids and grandkids. He was their biggest fan at their sporting events or whatever they were involved in. He was also known and loved as a grandpa-like figure to the many children at Lee’s daycare, teaching kids how to throw baseballs and footballs, draw, and sled down the “big hill” in the winter.

His legacy of humor, kindness, wisdom and dedication to his family and others will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.   

Sherwin is survived by his three children: son, Brian Cohrs; daughters, Londa (Mark) Chambers and Jana (Eric) Lundquist; grandchildren: Kyle (Kristine) Cohrs, Jada (Luke) Mulvaney, Dylan (Rain) Chambers, Bailey (Andrew) Zerban, Blair (Quinn) Mischke, Delaney Lundquist and Grant Lundquist; great-grandchildren: Levi and Charlize Chambers, Vince Mulvaney, Rylee Cohrs and Warner Zerban. He is also survived by his brother, Goodwin (Penny) Cohrs, and many nieces and nephews. 

Sherwin was preceded in death by his wife, Lee; parents; and brothers, Darwin and Delwin.   

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2025, from 2:30-4:30 p.m., concluding with indoor military honors at 4:30 p.m., in the chapel at Guardian Angels Riverview Landing in Otsego, Minnesota. A private family service, officiated by Pastor Nathan Mugaas from Elk River Lutheran Church, will follow at Orono Cemetery in Elk River.  

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