Theresa (Terry) Gossen

She was born Theresa Mary Janssen to Nicholas and Catherine (Wassenberg) Janssen on October 15, 1926, in Wadena, MN. The family moved to rural Minneota to farm in the 1930s. Terry attended District 91 country school, St. Edward grade school and graduated from Minneota High School in 1944. After high school, she spent time caring for children at the Catholic Boy’s Home in Minneapolis. In 1947, she was united in marriage to Vincent Louis Gossen. To them five children were born: Karen (and Rodney) Golden of Fayetteville, PA, Bruce (and Edna) Gossen of Minneota, Mona (and Jeff) Hammer of Minneota, and Pam (and Jim) Haugen of Ashby. A twin son, Brian, died in an accident in 1984. Terry and her family farmed north of Minneota for several years and later moved to town. She was employed by the Minneota Municipal Liquor Store and later by Countryside Golf Course. In retirement, she enjoyed golfing, fishing, quilting, fishing, gardening, fishing, playing cards and fishing some more. She taught many of her grandchildren to golf and fish. Terry loved sports of all kinds and was an avid Vikings fan. Terry died on Sunday, March 11, 2012, at the Minneota Manor in Minneota after a lengthy battle with COPD. She is survived by her children, 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, daughter-in-law Marge Obe of Minneota, sister Sister Helen Janssen of St. Paul and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vincent, son Brian, great-grandson Bruce Jr. and 13 siblings.