Elaine A. Kossel

Elaine Kossel, age 98, passed away peacefully on St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March 17^th,2024 at the Residence in Oshkosh. She was born to the late Benjamin and Gladys (Hackney) Milligan on January 8^th,1926 at the family farm in Berlin Wisconsin. 

Elaine enjoyed and excelled at school. After graduating from Berlin High School, she worked for Nigbor Furs to earn tuition for Mercy Medical School of Nursing. She graduated as an RN in 1948 and shortly after married Robert (Bob) Kossel. They then started both a family and an appliance store. Elaine and Bob had four children and a very busy life as both the children and the appliance business grew. 

After the kids started school Elaine began working at Kossel’s TV and Appliance, mostly working in the office. That office job lasted sixty-some years with 40 or so running the business with the help of her son Robert. Elaine’s day never ended at 5pm as she had a home and family to care for. She enjoyed cooking (apple pies), reading (mysteries), sewing and gardening and of course, loved the endless number of family cats and dogs. Sundays were family time and if the Packers were playing Chili and the fixings were on the menu. Sunday mornings often brought pancakes and on special occasions we had pecan loaded monkey bread! The best! Elaine worked tirelessly both at the business and at home, but she also enjoyed many fun times.

 She and her mother-in-law Ruth and her sisters-in-law Lois and Doris went on several trips together including Hawaii. Elaine and Bob also traveled to various European countries, Mexico, and of course visits to their children in Arizona and California. One of the high points for Elaine was her surprise Corvette from Bob. She loved driving her silver Corvette around town. Elaine remained friends with many of her nursing classmates. She enjoyed many lunches with Pat Burr, always having a Reuben sandwich. She was especially close to the three couples that made up Card Club. For 60 years they shared monthly dinners and sheepshead. All in all, Elaine lived a full, healthy, and happy life. Family meant everything to her, and she loved hosting all the Holidays, cooking the meals and having everyone at the house. Her husband of 71 years and her four children were the greatest joy in her life. 

Elaine is survived by her three surviving children Robert (Jacqueline), Kristine (Brad) Fox, and Benjamin (Kathleen) as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. 

In addition to her parents, Elaine was preceded in death by her husband Robert, daughter Kathryn, and brother Donald Milligan. 

A service will be held at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Homes (100 Lake Pointe Drive, Oshkosh, WI) on Saturday, March 30^th,2024 at 12 pm. A visitation will take place from 10am until the time of service. Elaine will be buried with Kathryn at New Elm Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be sent to the Ruth Kossel Scholarship. The Scholarship is awarded to students in the field of nursing and home care at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.