Robert (Bob) J. Cosens

A Memorial Service for Robert (Bob) J. Cosens, age 90, of Spirit Lake will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 10:30am at Spirit Life Fellowship Church in Spirit Lake. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, from 5:00-7:00pm at the Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Inurnment will be at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery in Okoboji.

Bob was born in Carroll, Iowa, May 27, 1936. His parents are Glen and Dale Cosens. The family lived around Jefferson for about five years before moving into Jefferson. Bob took part in music - both singing and band. He majored in church music at Drake University in Des Moines for two years. He returned to Jefferson where he worked at Safeway Grocery Store.

He met Jean Leith who was a first-grade teacher in Jefferson. They were married on March 8, 1959. Bob reported March 16, 1959, to the U.S. Army where he served two years as a Headquarters Supply Clerk in San Francisco, California, which served eight missile bases in that area. Both Kim and Julie were born in California.

Bob attended UNI in Cedar Falls, Iowa, majoring in Business Administration. He was Director of Purchasing for Waterloo Public Schools for four years. Michele was born while they lived in Cedar Falls.

Bob and Jean moved to Spirit Lake in the fall of 1972 to serve as Purchasing and Inventory Manager for Consumers/Citation Homes for 35 years. Michael was born in 1976.

Bob had the opportunity to serve eight years on the City Council. He also served on the board at Cherish Center and Okoboji Bible Missionary Conference. He had gone on several missionary trips over the years to Mexico, China and Peru. Bob served as an elder at Spirit Life Fellowship.

Music had been an important part of Bob's life for many years. He started singing solos at age 16 for church services, weddings and funerals. He was in a group (double quartet) called "The Joyful Noise!!" for nine years. He also sang barbershop, performed in Messiah, and the Many Voices Choir.

Bob and Jean served as foster parents to about 20 children over a 12-year period.

After the closing of Citation Homes in 2007, Bob helped Jean at God's Family Bookstore before becoming manager at Thee Garage Sale, then Renew Building Projects, and then Twetten’s Warehouse—each of these for about two years. Bob worked as a greeter at Walmart.

Bob enjoyed a full life with his wife Jean for over 67 years. He enjoyed the outdoors with gardening, biking and golf.

Bob passed away July 13, 2026, at Accura Healthcare in Spirit Lake, Iowa at ninety years of age.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Cosens; children, Kim (Shelly) Cosens of Buckeye, AZ and Owatonna, MN, Julie (Peter) Stevenson of Flemington, NJ, Michele (David) Huber of Normal, IL, Michael (Rachel) Cosens of Owatonna, IL, Reco Cosens of Sioux City, IA; grandchildren, Candice Krmpotich, Joshua Cosens, Kyle Cosens, Sara D’Sa, Philip Stevenson, Alexander Huber, Nicholas Huber, Skyler Cosens and Kristin Just; great-grandchildren, Grant, Sophie, Sikel, Isla, Maverick, Hazel, Kiran, Avi and Mia, Marin; brother, Russell Cosens of Jefferson, IA; sister-in-law, Marilyn Leith; nieces, Maralie (Greg) Ruth of Jefferson, IA and Melody (Col. Darrell) Fountain of Carlisle, PA; several great-nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Dale Cosens; nephew, Mark Cosens; sister-in-law, Judy Cosens; brother-in-law, Mike Leith.