Florence "Flo" Cose

Florence “Flo” Cose, 58, of Britt, passed away Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Hancock County Health Systems in Britt.

Funeral Service for Flo Cose will be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 10:30 AM at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West in Britt with Pastor Joel DeBoer officiating.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 from 5:00 –7:00 PM and one hour prior to serves on Wednesday at Ewing Funeral Chapel.

Florence Gail was born in Wichita, KS on June 19, 1962 to parents Ruby (Earles) Milner and Claude Milner. She spent her youth in Garner, IA, attending Garner Hayfield Schools. Later in life, she completed courses through NIACC to become a Medical Assistant.

Flo was lucky enough to have many great loves in her life, and she felt very passionate about all of them.

On June 27, 1980, she was united in marriage to Ralph Brown. To this union, her 3 boys were born: Kevin, Nicholas and Jake. They quickly became her whole world. Ralph and Flo later divorced, but remained life-long friends.

On November 15, 1996, Flo married her next great love, Kevin 'Cose' Cose. They enjoyed several years together, making lots of memories along the way, and Cose accepted her beloved boys as his own. The couple later divorced, but maintained their close friendship, and were able to make many more family memories.

Flo spent her final eighteen years with the love of her life, Chris Babe. They were long-time friends who realized they were much better as a couple. They spent some time trucking and seeing the countryside, then settled in at home in Britt where their home became a popular gathering place for long chats, daily grandchildren visits, holidays and family get-togethers. Warm days brought gardening, and she enjoyed summer nights cruising the town in her golf cart with faithful companion Elsa, stopping here and there to visit with friends and family.

She worked various jobs in her life, making sure that none of them ever interfered with time better spent being a mom and grandma. She was fiercely protective of those she cared about, and she loved her boys and grandkids "to the moon and back". She easily found little ways to make them all feel uniquely special to her. She learned from her own mom to be a strong woman, and so she was a rock for her family.

She felt drawn to Wicca, loved giraffes and her backyard swing, and cared deeply for her pets and siblings. She was fiery, outspoken, a good listener and a free spirit. She waited all year for summer, and if the pool was open, she was going. She was considered 'Grandma Flo' by not only her own grandchildren, but by many other pool regulars. She never missed an opportunity to attend a West Hancock football game with her best friend Shelly, and was more than willing to travel as far as she needed to in order to get there. She worshipped the sun and was playful enough to dance in the rain.

Flo had many health issues over the years, but she never stopped fighting to stay with those she loved. She will be remembered fondly and missed greatly. Blessed be, this too shall pass.

Survivors include her mother, Ruby Milner, her sons: Kevin (Jessi), Nick (Shelly) and Jake (Mary), grandchildren: Reed (Sydney), Ramzee, Remi, Kaleb, Kenadee, Kannen, Kyson, Jackson, Zayda 'Potata', Nova 'Bear', Chloe and Casey, and her long-time love, Chris Babe.

She is also survived by siblings: Kenneth Milner, Barb (Mark) Kyhl, Kathleen (Randy) Yakel, Tim (Roberta) Milner and Calvin (Debbie) Milner.

She was preceded in death by her father, Claude J. Milner, as well as grandparents Willie and Florence (Dewey) Earles and Claude D. Milner.