Daniel Harold Cosgriff

Plano, Texas

Daniel Harold Cosgriff, 81, passed away Saturday, December 14, 2013 in Plano, TX. Services will be held 1:30 p.m. Friday at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in West Des Moines, IA with burial at Resthaven Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until service time Friday at the church.

Dan was raised on a farm outside of Tipton, Iowa; a lifestyle he treasured. After receiving his degree from the University of Iowa, Dan completed his ROTC military obligation at Fort Carson, CO. A brief retail career took his young family to Casper, Wyoming. He returned to Iowa in the late ‘50s, moving to Des Moines and joining the Darwin T. Lynner Real Estate firm. His real estate career led to the founding of Cosgriff Construction. Cosgriff Construction developed and built residential property throughout the Des Moines area for almost 30 years. Dan was active in the Des Moines Homebuilders Association, including serving as president.

Dan was a religious man. He served on the Vestry of St. Andrews Episcopal Church while raising his family. In later years, he belonged to St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, and volunteered with The FreeStore.

Dan enjoyed living on an acreage, more so to watch the deer at twilight than to mow. He treasured his time with friends: Saturday night cards, the weekly round of golf, weekends at the lake house, and vacations. And, joking with brother Robert.

Dan married Eileen Kiser, the mother of Carolyn and David, in June, 1955. Eileen was a Tipton High School classmate. She passed away in 1964, and Dan married Patsy Weidner, the mother of DawnKae and Brad, in March, 1965. Pat passed away in 2004. Their Australian Shepherd, Missy, became his treasured companion.

Survivors include the four children, Brad, Clear Lake, Carolyn, Dallas, TX, David, Johnston, and DawnKae, Grimes; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a nephew; two nieces; and six great-nieces and nephews. In addition to his wives, Eileen Kiser Cosgriff and Patsy Lou Weidner Cosgriff, Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth (Bessie) and Harold, and siblings Dorthea Vazis, Richard Cosgriff, and Robert Cosgriff.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to Living History Farms, Urbandale, IA; Mercy Hospital Foundation, Des Moines, IA; or The FreeStore, Des Moines, IA.