Vivienne Gossman

Vivienne Gossman, age 69, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Friday, January 16, 2009, at her home following a battle with cancer. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, January 21, 2009, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah, Iowa, with Rev. Phillip Gibbs officiating. Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah. Vivienne Darrar Gossman was born on June 25, 1939, the daughter of Carl and Jessie (Kahler) Darrar in Portland, Oregon. Vivienne attended school in Portland, and Madras, Oregon, and graduated from Madras High School in 1957. She married Wayne Gossman on July 20, 1957, the first couple to be married in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Madras, Oregon. Together they recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. They lived in Oregon for nine years, five years in California and moved to the Decorah area in 1970. At the age of 18, Vivienne was President of the Rosary Society for St. Patrick’s Church and later held the office of secretary for St. Benedicts Church where she was a member. She has also been involved with several church circles. Vivienne drove school bus for North Winn School and Decorah schools for twenty-one years. She was head cook at Silver Crest Country Club and operated Mom’s Diner in Decorah for two years. She loved playing cards and dice, traveling, gardening, bird watching and ladybugs. Vivienne loved to cook, can, crochet, knit, sew and above all, she loved her family and grandchildren. Vivienne is survived by her husband: Wayne Gossman, Decorah, IA. Four children: Robin (Kim) Gossman, Decorah, IA; Suzy (friend, Dave Sutton) Gossman, Dubuque, IA; Kelly (friend, Kei Sato) Gossman, Casey, IL and Tony (Diane) Gossman, Decorah, IA. Twelve grandchildren: Jennifer Gossman, Jamie Snow, Nicholas “Nick” Thompson, Jessica Hanson, Josh Gossman, Will Thompson, Jon Hanson, Melissa Thompson, Sara Hanson, Connor Gossman and Melanie Gossman. Seven great grandchildren: Taylor Houston, Dominic Mueller, Alexis Houston, Wyatt Thompson, Tristan Gossman, Haley Gossman and Willow Thompson. Two nephews: Gordon George, OR and Carl Pasztor, OR. One niece: Diana Pasztor, OR. One uncle: George (Doris) Kahler, Hood River, OR and one aunt: Jean Jackson, OR. Four sisters-in-law: Opal (Howard) Gossman, Preston, MN; Jean (Jim) McCabe, WY; Wanda (Ralph) Milligan, Decorah, IA and Margo (Bruce) Kroshus, Rochester, MN. Five brothers-in-law: Lloyd (Colleen) Gossman, Decorah, IA; Merlin (Vernelle) Gossman, Decorah, IA; Harold (Marcie) Gossman, Hutchinson, KS; Carroll (Sharon) Gossman, Decorah, IA and Roman (Mercedes) Gossman, Rose Creek, MN, along with many nieces-in-law and nephews-in-law. Vivienne was preceded in death by her parents: Carl and Jessie Darrar. One grandson: Mickey Thompson. One sister: Lynn (John) Crocker. Her father and mother-in-law: Francis and Mae Gossman. One brother-in-law: Howard Gossman.