White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

Independence – Donald LaVern Gosse, 75, of rural Independence, Iowa, died Monday, May 14, 2012 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics following a short illness. He was born February 8, 1937 in Independence, Iowa, the son of Harvey Carl Gosse and Ethel Mae (Firth) Gosse. Donald graduated from Jesup High School with the class of 1955. On June 30, 1957 he married Josephine Leone Bunnell at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence. She preceded him in death in 1999. On April 6, 2003 he married Linda Kay Martin at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence.

Donald loved to farm. He served on the Farm Service Agency in Buchanan County for 9 years; he was a member of the Farm Bureau and Jesup Co-Op. He was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Jesup where he served as Financial Secretary for many years. He also was a past council member at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; three sons, David (Arnetta) Gosse of Iowa City, IA; James (Cindy) Gosse of Jesup, IA; and Ronald (Connie) Gosse of Independence, IA; one step-son, Rick (Shelly) Martin of Independence, IA; two step-daughters, Brenda (Don) Kruger of Woodward, IA; and Laurie (Kevin) Buhrow of Tripoli, IA; 6 grandchildren, Matthew, Elizabeth, Luke, Benjamin, Collin, and Justin Gosse; 8 step-grandchildren, James, Jocelyn, and Joelle Kruger; Travis and Zachery Buhrow; Caleb Martin; Stephanie Witt and Shane (Brea) Witt; one brother, Harold (Patricia) Gosse of Rochelle, IL; and one sister, Lois (David) Hagedorn of Cedar Falls, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Josephine in 1999; and one sister, Helen Gosse.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 18, 2012, the American Lutheran Church, Jesup, IA, with Pastor Dean Schlitter presiding. Music by Shirley Bergman, organist, and Kraig Emick, vocal and trumpet soloist. Casket Bearers will be Donald's grandchildren, Matthew, Elizabeth, Luke, Benjamin, Collin, and Justin Gosse. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Independence. Visitation will be Thursday, May 17, 2012, from 4:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at White Funeral Home, Jesup and for an hour before the services, Friday, at the church.

Memorials will be directed to the church and various local organizations. Online condolences can be left at www.White-MtHope.com

White Funeral Home, Jesup, IA is in charge of the arrangements.