Wilbur Gottsch

Wilbur Gene Gottsch was born at Carroll, Iowa, March 30, 1933, the son of Rudolph Claudius and Lena Magdalena Thies Gottsch. He was received into God’s Kingdom of Grace through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at Zion Lutheran Church, Denison, Iowa, on June 25, 1933, and confirmed in his Christian Faith there December 25, 1952. Wilbur was raised on the family farm at Westside and graduated from the Westside High School, where he enjoyed playing basketball, with the class of 1952. Following high school he farmed with his father until being drafted. During the Korean War, from September 23, 1953, until his honorable discharge September 20, 1955, Wilbur served his country stateside in the United States Army. Following his discharge, Wilbur returned to the family farm at Westside where he spent his lifetime farming. In his spare time he found great pleasure working in his woodworking shop, having gifted family and friends with many of his creations, and going fishing with his cousins at Wall Lake and Lake View. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa, and the American Legion Post 196, Westside, Iowa. Due to failing health, Wilbur moved to Mallard View in Carroll, Iowa, where he resided for seven years before moving to the Carroll Health Center in 2008. Wilbur died at the Carroll Health Center early Saturday, July 16, 2011, having been blessed with 78 years, 3 months and 16 days. Including his parents, Rudolph and Lena Gottsch, Wilbur was also preceded in death by one sister, Ruth Stultz; brother-in-law, Dick Carmichael; and nephew, William Stultz. Those remaining to cherish his memory include one sister, Marlene Carmichael of Beaumont, California; one brother, Marvin Gottsch and wife, Jennifer of Carroll, Iowa; brother-in-law, Fritz Stultz of Dallas, Texas; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 21, 2011, at the Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison with the Rev. David M. Sewing officiating. Recorded vocal selections for the service included “How Great Thou Art”, “On Eagles Wings” and “Amazing Grace”. Pallbearers included Dale Gottsch, Donald Gottsch, Dean Gottsch, Phillip Ritchie, David Fineran and Mark Ragaller. Interment, with Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post 196, Westside, Iowa, was at the Westside Cemetery in Westside. Following the burial the family invited everyone to join them at the American Legion Post in Westside for fellowship and a luncheon provided by the Post 196 American Legion Auxiliary. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.