Lynn Gossen

Lynn Gossen

Belle Plaine

Lynn Gossen, 74, of Belle Plaine and formerly of Grinnell, died at his home on Saturday, December 30, 2023.

A funeral service with military honors will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. Interment will follow at Westfield Cemetery near Grinnell.

The family will receive friends at the visitation held prior to the service beginning at 9:30 am.

Memorials may be designated to Steven Johnson Syndrome Foundation and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Lynn’s family online at www.smithfh.com.

Lynn Gossen was born on July 12, 1949 in Grinnell, Iowa, the son of William Mathew Gossen and Minnie Mae (Smith) Gossen. He was raised in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School in 1968.

On October 1, 1972, he was united in marriage to Donnette Lynn Hamilton in Grinnell. The couple lived in multiple places while Lynn served in the United States Navy. He honorably served his country from 1968 until 1992. During this time period, Donnette stayed home to raise her two sons and she later worked for GTE in Grinnell. They moved to Belle Plaine in 1992. He was employed with Victor Manufacturing until his retirement.

Lynn was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and he held a strong faith in Jesus. He was a Cub Scout Den Leader and held a passion for working with children. Lynn enjoyed making arts and crafts, including making Christmas ornaments, and towels with Donnette for all the holidays and seasonal events. He was an avid reader and enjoyed watching old Western shows, especially shows featuring John Wayne.

Lynn is survived by two sons, Shawn (Michelle) Gossen of Cedar Rapids and Craig Gossen of Belle Plaine; three grandchildren. Abbey, Avery and Aidan Gossen; two sisters-in-law, Kandy (Marvin) Wilson and Shanna (Dennis) Wathen, both of Grinnell; and one brother-in-law, Dusty (Linda) Hamilton of Grinnell. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Donnette in 2021; two children in infancy, Todd Michael Gossen in 1979 and Kari Lynn Gossen in 1984; and one brother-in-law, Ronald Hamilton in 2020.