Geraldine M. 'Gerry' Gossen

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Geraldine M. "Gerry" Gossen, 88, a longtime Gogebic County resident, passed away Saturday morning, June 21, 2014, at her son's home.

She was born on Dec. 10, 1925, in Ironwood, a daughter of Arnold and Mary (Dunnigan) Richards.

On Jan. 13, 1943, Gerry married Charles Gordon Gossen, who was serving the U.S. Army, in San Diego. She enjoyed traveling, and with her husband lived in Japan and Germany.

In earlier years, Gerry worked at Sears Roebuck and Co. and was a volunteer for the American Red Cross.

She was known for her beautiful gardens and her green thumb. Gerry's home was filled with lush greenery and many cacti. She shared her passion of gardening with many, often sending visitors home with plant clippings.

Gerry loved to entertain and enjoyed the company of relatives, friends and her bridge and garden clubs. She went out of her way to set an exquisite table and was a most gracious hostess.

A creative lady, Gerry took pleasure in painting and doing crafts. She contributed to many charity craft shows and enjoyed her painting classes with her fellow artists.

Gerry had a soft spot for animals. Her faithful dog, Heidi, was most cherished, but so were many of the wild animals that found the Gossen home to be a safe haven. Hummingbirds, chipmunks, deer and fox did not go hungry at her home, and she often was able to hand feed the chipmunks and other woodland creatures she cared for.

Gerry was seen with at least one, usually multiple cameras. She loved to take pictures and videos. Much film and video tapes was used to record the things she loved in life: her family, her friends, beautiful flowers and gardens and the animals that visited to her home.

Gerry is survived by a son, Charles L., Ironwood; a granddaughter, Gerilyn (Geoffrey) Ahlers, Cincinnati; a great-granddaughter, Talia Ahlers, Cincinnati; a brother, Tom (Juanita) Richards, Port Saint Lucie, Fla .; a sister, Fay (Ronald) Polvi, Fairhope, Ala .; two sisters-in-law, Wiladine Richards, Flint, and Anna Mae Richards, Lake Gogebic; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Charles, on Feb. 27, 2013; and three brothers, Lloyd, Loran and William "Bill" Richards.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, June 30, at 10:30 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m., at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Marenisco, with the Rev. Antony Lukka, celebrant.

A luncheon will be served at the Marenisco Town Hall following the Mass.

Rite of Committal and interment will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lakeside Memorial Chapel, Wakefield, Jerald Rocco, manager. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.