Obituary for Eleanor Marie Criss Floss

Eleanor Marie Criss Floss "Criss", 71, died peacefully at her home in Coralville, December 7, 2008 surrounded by family. Private Memorial Services will be held at a later date in Winterset, IA. Survivors include her four children: Cindy Floss-Sharpe of Coralville; Julie (Scott) Tomash of Swisher; Arthur "Art" (Carrie) Floss of Coralville, Joseph (Jen) Floss of Coralville; 10 grandchildren, and a sister, Jo Ann Slayton of Des Moines. She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Criss and her mother, Blanche (Painter) Jones. Eleanor was born April 12, 1937 in Winterset, IA to Joseph and Blanche Criss. She graduated from Winterset High School in 1955 and then attended business school in Omaha. Upon completion, she went to Washington D.C. where she worked for the Department of the Navy and attended Patricia Stevens modeling school. She returned to Des Moines, IA to work as an assistant manager for Ace Employment and in the Personnel Department of National Travelers Insurance. She married George Floss on July 8, 1961 in Des Moines and resided in Alton/Godfrey, IL for approximately 16 years. They divorced in 1976. Her modeling career stayed active on the side, and she hosted the "etiquette corner" on KRNT TV working with Larry McKeever. She later managed Elizabeth Ann Modeling in Cedar Rapids and her additional employment involved working for The University of Iowa Hospitals Department of Neurosurgery, the City of Coralville, and the DOT-Iowa City Driver''s License Bureau with her retirement from the Department for the Blind as Secretary of the Cedar Rapids Office. Those close to Criss will remember her calm, common sense approach to life; her caring and concern for her family, enjoying her neighborhood and appreciating simple pleasures of animals and watching television with her quiet serenity. Memorials may be sent to Elder Services-Meals on Wheels, 28 S. Linn, Suite 208, Iowa City, IA 52240 and Iowa City Hospice, 1025 Wade Street, Iowa City, IA 52240.