Millsap, Florence Elizabeth

Florence Elizabeth Millsap, 88, of Iowa City, died peacefully Friday, May 18, 2012, at Lantern Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Coralville, Iowa. She is now with her beloved husband, Kenneth.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 23, at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. (Sunday parking ordnance will be in effect for the streets around the church). Burial will be at the Lone Tree Cemetery. Following the burial, a reception will be held at the Lone Tree American Legion. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Iowa City or Camp Courageous of Iowa.

Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web at .

Florence was born Dec. 30, 1923, in rural Lone Tree, Iowa, the daughter of Charles Thomas Eden and Hilma (Benson) Eden. She graduated from Lone Tree High School in 1941. She was a homemaker, but also worked for Hauser and Hands Jewelry stores.

She was united in marriage to Kenneth Foster Millsap on Aug. 16, 1942, at the First Methodist Church in Iowa City and celebrated nearly 67 years together. Florence and Ken lived in Fairfield, Iowa; East Lansing, Mich.; Long Beach, Calif.; and Denver, Colo., before finally settling at their farm in rural Iowa City, effectually known as “Green Acres.”

She could always be counted on to help whenever needed. She served as the family “Historian” and was continually called upon for family genealogy information. If anyone ever had a question they knew who to call.

Florence was a member of First United Methodist Church of Iowa City. She was recognized as a 50 year member of Chapter HI of the PEO Sisterhood and was a delegate to the International Chapter Convention in Denver, Colo., in 1995. She was also a member of the University Club.

Her family includes her two sons, Robert David and his wife, Deborah of Iowa City, and John Charles and his wife, Tammy of Cedar Rapids; five grandchildren, Jason, Joshua and Lucas Millsap, Christina Smith and Terry Washburn; four great-grandchildren, Wesley, Ciara, Kylee and Isabella; and many nieces and nephews.

Florence is also survived by four brothers, Charles Eden and his wife, Irmgard of Fredericksburg, Va., Robert Eden of Iowa City, Marion Eden of Hills, and William Eden and his wife, Delores of Iowa City; and two sisters, Betty Kirchner of Iowa City and Lavon and her husband, David of Houston Texas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; and a brother, Carroll Eden.

She loved to spend time with her family; above all, her greatest enjoyment was that of being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be greatly missed.

The family would like to thank the staff at Mercy Iowa City and Lantern Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the exceptional and compassionate care she received while residing there.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City is caring for Florence's family and her services.

Published in The Gazette May 22, 2012.