Frances A. Cole

Frances Alyce (Cross) Cole passed away on Sunday, February 15th after a lengthy battle with cancer. Her many friends and family knew her as Fran while her close school friends called her Cissie. Fran was 86 years old at the time of her passing.

Fran was born June 13, 1939 in Wayne, Nebraska to Fred Cross and Margaret (Harrington) Cross. Her parents divorced when she was two which led to Fran and her mother moving to Sioux City, IA.

Fran attended Whittier Grade School and graduated from East High in 1957. She furthered her education at Iowa State in Ames, Iowa. Fran was only able to attend college for two years as her mother became ill and later died in 1960. While attending Whittier, Fran became lifelong friends with Marlene Swanson. Fran and Marlene remained close friends even after Marlene moved to Omaha, Nebraska and have shared many memories over the past 80 years.

In 1960, Fran married Earl Cole in Pipestone, Minnesota. After their marriage, the couple resided in Sioux City, Iowa. During their marriage, they were blessed with two sons, Eric and Tim. They were divorced in 1981.

Fran provided for her family by working at Crescent Electric, Beane Plumbing and Land O’Lakes Purina Feed until she retired in 2004. After retiring from full-time employment, Fran worked two days a week at Morningside Lutheran Church until September 2013, when she retired for a second time. Fran was a member of Morningside Lutheran Church for 50 years.

After retirement in 2013, Fran continued to keep busy by working as an Election Official and volunteering for many organizations. Fran was a Senior Helpmate volunteer, a Community Theater usher, a Humane Society fundraiser and gave her time to Morningside Lutheran Church’s Alter Guild and Rachel Circle. Fran was a Crop Walk fundraiser for 30 years and for many years collected the highest dollar amount in Sioux City and often the state of Iowa. Once a week for 20 years, Fran volunteered her time in the Unity Point Gift Shop.

Fran had many friends in Sioux City and loved spending time with them by going to monthly lunches, weekly card games, golfing, and traveling.

Fran was preceded in death by her father, Fred Cross, her mother, Margaret Harrington Liveringhouse, her brother Richard (Dick) Cross and her son,Timothy (Tim) Cole.

 She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Cathy Cole of Ashland, Nebraska, grandsons, Trevor and Brandon Cole, both of Sioux City, Iowa, Seth Cole of Kansas, Nicolas and wife Keelan Cole of Arizona, and granddaughter, Victoria Cole of Kansas. Fran was blessed with two great-grandsons, Preston Cole of Sioux City, Iowa, and Timothy Cole of Arizona; and one great-granddaughter, Penelope Cole of Kansas. Also surviving are nephews, Mike Cross, and Jeff Cross, and many, many close friends.

A celebration of Fran’s life will be held on Friday, February 20th at Morningside Lutheran Church in Sioux City, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 10am, with the service following at 11am. Lunch will be served at the church directly after the service. Friends are invited to join the family after the lunch for interment at Graceland Park Cemetery, Sioux City.

Per Fran’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, the family is requesting a donation to Morningside Lutheran Church in memory of Fran.