Joan Cobenais

Joan Cobenais, age 78, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 27, 2025 from complications of cancer in Duluth, MN.

Joan was born on November 26, 1946 to Joseph and Mary Cobenais in Red Lake, MN. She grew up in Red Lake surrounded by family and always alongside her twin sister, Judy. Joan left Red Lake and moved to St Paul, MN, shortly after the birth of her son, Anthony Joseph (TJ) after achieving/earning her GED. She worked at a Welfare Office in St Paul before working at Ecolab for the next 36 years. In 1966, she met her partner Ken, who she was with until he passed in 2000. In 2009, Joan retired from Ecolab and moved to Danbury, WI full-time. She spent most of her time outdoors fishing, gardening, going to garage sales and playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. During the winter months, she enjoyed puzzles and beading, and she was proud of walking her figure 8’s in her house to stay active. She was always up for a game of cards and/or Bingo, going to the casino with Mike or chatting with anyone she encountered. She will be remembered for her infectious laugh, goofy jokes and giving personality.

Joan is survived by her son: TJ (Christie) Cobenais; grandchildren: Emily Williamson (Megan), Danny Cobenais (Miranda); and great-grandchildren: Cora, Isla and Waylon; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Clarence “Superman”, Alvin “Bollo”, Donald “Donnie”, Richard “Dickie”, Darrell, Duane “Wayne”, Harold “Henry”, Stanley; and sisters: Sarah, Margaret, Marian and Judy.

Wake will begin at 10 AM on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at the New Red Lake Center and will continue until the service at 1 PM on Monday, February 3, 2025 with Fr. Tom Niehaus.  Active Pallbearers will be John Cobenais, Gerald Cobenais, Marty Cobenais, Zach Cobenais, Leonard Spears and Shaundae White. Honorary Pallbearers will be nephews, nieces and friends. Burial will be at St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake, MN. Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service of Walker & Hackensack, MN.

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