Gosse, Dorothy Ann

Dorothy Ann Gosse, 71, of Oelwein, died Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at home from complications of COPD. A memorial open house will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, at Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein.

Dorothy was born Dec. 19, 1940, in Waukon, Iowa, the daughter of Elmer and Evelyn (Grossman) Van Gorder. She grew up in Oelwein, graduated from Oelwein Senior High School in 1959 and attended Upper Iowa University. Dorothy married Charles Gosse on March 16, 1963, at Christ United Presbyterian Church in Oelwein. They had three children.

Dorothy worked at Montgomery Ward, Preston's Building Center, Rechkemmer Construction, Gosse Construction and Dura Automotive in West Union until her health forced her to retire in 2002.

Dorothy was the Jefferson Township clerk, and most recently helped complete the cleanup and new fencing project of the Otsego Cemetery near Oelwein. She loved researching genealogy, local history, and family histories.

Dorothy gave as generously in death, as she did in life by donating her body to the University of Iowa.

She will be dearly missed by all who knew and continue to love her.

Left to celebrate Dorothy's life are her husband, Charles; her children: Susan (Mark) Leibold, and their children, Ethan and Alison, of Fort Atkinson; Scott Gosse of Cedar Rapids and his children, Stephen Gosse (Elisabeth Downes) of Cedar Rapids and Tiffany Leonard (Danny Odell Thomas Jr.) of Jacksonville, N.C.; and Sharon Miller of Lamont, and her son, Andrew (Lindsey) Gosse of Davenport; her great-granddaughter, Peyton Thomas; her brother, Gene (Diane) Van Gorder of Waterloo; and her nephews, Michael (Angela) Van Gorder and Neil Van Gorder.

In death, Dorothy has rejoined her parents.

Dorothy's family would like to express a special thank you to the Heart of Iowa Hospice staff for their care over the past few years.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be made in Dorothy's honor to the Heart of Iowa Hospice.

Published Feb. 26, 2012 in The Gazette