Alice Irene Gosch 1929 - 2018

GOSCH, RUDE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/27/2018 at 10:02:36

Sioux City Journal
12 February 2018

Onawa, Iowa

Alice Irene Gosch, 89, of Onawa, passed away Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, Iowa.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Soldier Lutheran Church in Soldier, Iowa, with the Rev. Shari Schwedhelm, officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa.

Alice Irene (Rude) Gosch was born on Jan. 13, 1929, in a farmhouse somewhere near Soldier. She was welcomed into the world as the fifth child by her loving parents, Conrad and Olga Rude; two sisters, Anna Marie and Helen; and two brothers, Wilbur and Clayton. Her sister, LaVonne, was younger, so Alice helped welcome her into the family a couple of years later.

Alice was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Soldier Lutheran Church and brought up in a Christian home. She attended the Soldier Valley and Ute Country schools, graduating from Ute in May 1947. After graduation, she married her husband of 54 years, Herbert F. Gosch at the Soldier country church on May 18, 1947. From this union she and Herbie had eight children, Leonard, Rebecca, David, Marla, Wanita, Sharon, Connie and Karen.

Alice and Herbie lived by Ute for a short time, then moved to the Nepper place just outside of Mapleton, Iowa. In the spring of 1950, they purchased a farm five miles east of Castana, Iowa in the Loess Hills area. This farm was their pride and joy, a great place for raising their family.

When Karen was born, Alice's role became one of constant care-taker. Karen was born with cerebral palsy. Alice took care of her 24/7 until 2001 when Alice needed therapy for her knee and both Karen and Alice were residents of Elmwood Nursing Home in Onawa for the year.

Alice's true profession was that of homemaker, and she was the best. She lovingly touched the lives of her family, neighbors, and friends with her ready smile and her ability to make each person feel special. Alice had a quick wit and was a joy to be around. She always championed the underdog. Her grandchildren have often commented that, "She was their role model."

She taught all her children the joy of singing and also taught them to know God. Her philosophy of life was to, "Stand up straight, Do the best with what you have and use your imagination." "God gave you the talents that He knew you needed to survive."

Alice was an avid gardener, providing food for the family through hours of hoeing, weeding, canning and cooking. She even made wine. Her favorite time of the day was early morning. That's when she would have her little talks with God.

When most of the children were grown and had families of their own, Alice started writing poetry. She received awards, medals and trophies for many of her outstanding poems. They were as follows, The Golden Poets Award, The Silver Poets Award, Editors Choice, Homer Diamond Award, and many others. On Oct. 1, 1996, on behalf of the board of directors and advisory committee of the National Library of Poetry, Alice was voted into The International Hall of Fame of poetry.

Alice's book, "My Cup Runneth Over" was published in June 2006. Her book included several short stories, illustration and her collection of poetry. Three of her poems were put to music and the CDs were sold as Christian music selections.

She also was featured on the "Dessert Ministries" Saturday afternoon hour where she read her poems. Just before Christmas, they would have a concert/play production in Omaha. Alice was featured in the productions as an actress and a poet.

One of her greatest achievements was to get a drivers license at the age of 62. She practiced her driving in Connie and Dave's pasture…even practicing waving as she went back and forth in her little blue Chevette that she had purchased from Elisha. It had a little ding in the front fender that had been repaired with a snoopy band-aide (the band-aide was still there when she sold the car).

Some of her hobbies were scrapbooking, gardening, singing, fishing, entering projects in the Monona County Fair (where she received many blue ribbons and special awards), writing poetry and spending time with her family and friends. She was a member of Christian Women's Club and WELCA. She was also a lifetime member of Soldier Lutheran Church.

When Herbie died in February 2001, Alice moved to Center Heights in Onawa. Just a year later on February 2002 (her youngest child) Karen followed her Dad to Heaven. Her daughter, Sharon, joined her Dad and sister in January 2016.

Those family members left to cherish memories of her include, Leonard and Diane Gosch of Castana, Iowa, Rebecca "Becky" and Dennis Marcum of Onawa, David Gosch of Charter Oak, Iowa, Marla Bianchini of South Sioux City, Wanita Myers of Onawa, Bob Mahlberg of Soldier, and Connie and David Jansen of Pottsboro, Texas; 19 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Floyd Leaver of Sioux City; and many nieces, nephews, and friends that will miss her greatly.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Conrad and Olga (Larson) Rude; three sisters, Anna Marie Thoreson Rhomsdale, Helen Swain and LaVonne Leaver; two brothers, Wilbur and Clayton; a granddaughter, Theresa Diane Gosch; a great-granddaughter, Paisley Skye Hirsch; two sons-in-law, Rick Bianchini and Lloyd Myers Jr.; a daughter-in-law, Linda (Nepper) Gosch; her husband, Herbie; and her daughters, Sharon (Gosch) Mahlberg, and her youngest daughter, Karen.

Memorials may be made to her family.

Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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