Lyn Brodersen Cochran, of Davenport, passed into the afterlife on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. A private service was held Saturday, Jan. 23, at Weerts Funeral Home. A live stream was held at www.facebook.com/WeertsFuneral/ at 10:30a.m. Memorials may be made to Scott Community College Foundation in Lyn’s name in support of her student enrichment projects at www.eicc.edu/sccfoundation or to WagNTrainTerrier Rescue in Omaha, Neb., at www.wagntrainterrierrescue.com.
Lyn was born Dec. 31, 1968, to Ann (Norcott) and Hans V Brodersen, Jr. in Hawarden, Iowa. She graduated from North High School in Sioux City. She received her B.A. in history, magna cum laude, from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, May, 1991. Lyn received her M.A. degree from the University of Notre Dame in modern European history, August, 1992. Her PhD in education (leadership and policy studies emphasis) was granted from Iowa State University in 2008. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board. On March 17, 2017, she was united in marriage to Douglas Cochran in Newton, Iowa.
Lyn was a passionate professional who served community colleges and higher education for over 30 years. She served Western Iowa Tech Community College, Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Central Lakes College in Brainerd, Minn., University of Wisconsin-Richland, North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, Iowa State University Extension, and most recently as president of Scott Community College in Davenport. She loved the college, the students, faculty and staff. Lyn was known for her innate skill to remember people’s names. Students felt honored and humbled to have the college president greet them by name and express kind words of encouragement. She was never too busy to spend quality time with students, lend an ear to a faculty member, or mentor a rising professional.
Friends would describe Lyn as a Renaissance woman with her many talents and widely varied interests. Lyn was equally comfortable presenting to business leaders, rolling up under a diesel engine, or rocking out in her Motörhead hoodie. She could quote you 16th century European history one minute and discuss the inner workings of a V8 engine the next. One of her favorite spots on campus was in the auto and diesel labs or climbing up to check out the new semi-trucks. She believed deeply in the value of career and technical education and in the importance of creating a skilled workforce for the community. Her ease in striking up a conversation assisted in creating new partnerships, raising dollars for the college, and moving initiatives forward. Her genuine interest in people, learning, creativity made her an exceptional leader. Her most cherished awards and honor came from recognitions bestowed by her students, including her 2020 Paragon Award for New College Presidents from the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. When Lyn was busy working at the college or rocking out, she could often be found with her two Miniature Schnauzers, Lulu and Olaf, or helping to rescue other dogs.
Those left to honor Lyn’s memory are her husband Douglas; mother Ann Brodersen; aunts Mary (Dale) Bjorkman and Judy Brodersen; uncle Mark Norcott; cousins: Jenni Parkhill, Andrea Norcott, and Seth (Celeste) Norcott, Mark Brodersen, Brett (Beth) Brodersen, Ryan (Amy) Brodersen, Brock (Dawn) Brodersen, Jonah Brodersen, Anna (Matthew) Rice, and Meghan Brodersen; half-sister Rosann Swarte; and stepchildren: Eric (Priscilla) Cochran, Ethan (Courtney) Cochran, and Charlie Cochran. She was preceded in death by her father Hans; grandparents Valentine and Anita Norcott; uncle Rick Brodersen, and Kaiser, her beloved Schnauzer.
Lyn’s impact will stand long past her time at the college and on this earth. She quietly gave a gift of making all that encountered her to feel valued and each left better understanding their own worth. Her mentorship, leadership, and example will live on in those that were fortunate enough to have crossed her path.
Online condolences can be made to the family by visiting her obituary at www.weertsfh.com.
Custom obituary