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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Gorshe, Ruth A.
Ruth A. Gorshe, 87, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, March 5, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center from complications after surgery, while surrounded by her loving family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leland; and eldest daughter, Angela Marie Allen.
Ruth is survived by her children, Virginia “Kay” Fisher of Arcadia, Fla., Robert (Marla) of Boone, Mike (Nancy) of Denver, Iowa and Mary (Curt) Phillips of Hiawatha; along with 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. In addition to her family, Ruth leaves behind a circle of beloved friends.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 9, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home, 520 Wilson Ave. SW, in Cedar Rapids. The family will be present from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., with a Scripture service to follow.
A funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salix, Iowa, by Father Patrick O'Kane on Wednesday, March 10, at 2 p.m. where the family will greet friends from 1 p.m. until service time. Burial at Willow Township Cemetery, rural Holly Springs, Iowa, will follow the funeral services.
Ruth was born Nov. 20, 1922, in Eatonton, Ga., to Robert and Mary (Taylor) West. She was the last of seven children. Ruth wasn't afraid of hard work and held many types of jobs in her lifetime. During World War II, she worked as a welder building Air Force bombers in support of the war effort. She later worked as a dental technician and spent many years in retail sales; she was an excellent seamstress. She quit working only because failing eyesight made it impossible to continue, but it didn't slow her down. She was a feisty, strong and independent woman who loved a good joke - whether on the giving or receiving end!
She married Leland J. Gorshe on June 17, 1944 in Macon, Ga. They raised their family in Hornick, Iowa, and spent their retired years in North Port, Fla. For 55 years until Lee's passing in 1999, their marriage was the second greatest love story ever written. Their bond was something special, not often seen, and will forever be an inspiration to their family. They were truly lovebirds, and she is happily dancing again in heaven with her beloved Lee.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Ruth's memory.
Please sign the online guest book for Ruth at under obituaries.
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