Dale Herman Gorsch, 16 Oct 1920 - 20 Nov 2017

GORSCH, RUSH, BOWDEN, ALLEN, UHLENHOPP, CRADY, BERG, GARNER, YANCY, FRITZ

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 2/19/2020 at 15:50:04

Funeral service for Dale Gorsch, 97, were held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, November 25, 2017, at the First Presbyterian Church in Grinnell. He died on Monday, November 20, 2017, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell.

The Rev. Dr. Dondrea Walker, pastor of the First Baptist Church officiated at the service. Interment was at at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

Memorials may be designated to Grinnell Regional Hospice or to the St. Francis Manor Foundation and may be mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.

Dale Herman Gorsch was born on October 16, 1920 to Bernard Herman Gorsch and Hazel Esther (Rush) Gorsch in rural Iowa County near Marengo. He was raised on the family farm and attended rural schools.

He married to Emily Naomi Bowden on June 27, 1945, at her parent's farm home near Deep River, Iowa. Shortly thereafter, he entered the United States Army and served until his discharge in October 22, 1947.

He farmed with his father-in-law and after his death took over operations of the farm. To this union they were blessed with a son, Dale, and three daughters, Sheryl, Gayle, and Karen. He continued farming until his retirement in 1991, when they moved to Grinnell.

Dale was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with family; especially family dinners when all the family was together. He enjoyed working in his garden, taking care of his lawn and doing odd jobs around the house. He was not happy unless he had something to do.

He is survived by his son, Dale, of Coralville, Iowa, three daughters, Sheryl Allen, of West Des Moines, Iowa, Gayle (Elliott) Uhlenhopp of Grinnell, and Karen (Larry) Crady of Oakland Acres, Iowa; four grandchildren, Christine Berg of Coralville, Iowa, Stephen (Isabella) Berg of Palo Alto, California, Brian (Shannon) Allen of Waukee, Iowa, and Rebecca (Jason) Garner of Clive, Iowa; two great grandsons, Brody and Caden Allen; two step great grandchildren, Caitlin and Brenden Yancy, and a sister, Eileen Fritz of High Amana, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 59 years, Emily, in 2004; and two brothers, Lloyd and Orlen Gorsch.

Published in the Journal Tribune on November 29, 2017