Naemi Gossen

Naemi Gossen was born on July 14, 1925, to Cornelius and Anna (Thiessen) Bergmann of Corn, Oklahoma, and passed away early Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at the age of 89. Naemi spent her entire life in Corn. There she attended Grand View School before transferring to Corn Bible Academy where she graduated in 1943. In her youth, she accepted Jesus as Savior, was baptized, and joined Corn Mennonite Brethren Church where she would remain an active and involved member for the rest of her life. It was her salvation that set the pattern for her life—living to serve others just as Jesus would and encouraging her family to do the same. On February 27, 1947, Naemi married Samuel Gossen, and together they started their homestead southwest of Corn on 80 acres. Together they farmed, did custom harvesting, ran a dairy, and grew the homestead into a successful family farm. As a farmer's wife, Naemi enjoyed cooking for harvest crews, butchering her own meat, curing bacon, canning produce from one of her three gardens, and working alongside her husband and children. In fact, her involvement in the family farm would continue up until the very last as she was always giving her input on every crop and fertilizer. Known as a positive person, Naemi knew of hard times but wouldn't dwell on them. Instead, she encouraged her children to be honest, hard-working, well-educated, and faithful in all they did. Her children rarely remember missing Sunday School, church camp, youth group, or taking a sick day from classes growing up. Her cure for any ailment? Drink milk. In addition to taking care of the homestead and raising five children, Naemi enjoyed traveling with her husband during their 60 years together, taking trips to Branson, Missouri, California, and Florida, where they would take in gospel music shows, comedy shows, major league baseball training camps, and attend some of the first NASCAR races. Both also made a point to attend grandchildren and great-grand children's school, music, and sport activities, supporting them with all their enthusiasm. Throughout her life, Naemi cherished family and would light up when any grandchild or great-grandchild came for a visit. Treats at grandma's house were a must and cards in the mail were sent regularly for birthdays, anniversaries, and the like. Having a love for good music and good food, she would often be heard offering her piano to anyone who wanted to learn to play, and her potluck dishes were among the first to go at family gatherings. Wonder what to substitute for a missing ingredient, or how to make a meal go farther? Call Grandma Gossen. She'd know. In her later years, Naemi could be found working on a quilt for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, or the Corn Bible Academy German Supper. She also enjoyed participating in the Women Mission Circle (during its existence), making delicious sauerkraut for the German Supper as a member of the Corn Bible Academy Ladies Auxiliary, working at the Et Cetera Shop in Weatherford, teaching Sunday School, gardening, and visiting with family and friends whenever the opportunity arose. Naemi was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Gossen; her parents, Cornelius and Anna Bergmann; her brother, Paul Bergmann; and two infant siblings. She is survived by her five children: Stanley Gossen and his wife, Geri, of Cordell; Gary Gossen and his wife, Norma, of Cordell; Alden Gossen and his wife, Karen, of Corn; Melvin Gossen and his wife, Laura, of Corn; and Rosanne Schmidt and her husband, Kevin, of Cordell; sister, Ruth Dick; sister-in-law, Willie Gossen; brother-in-law, Jacob Gossen; and 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Corn Bible Academy (208 N. Reimer, P.O. Box 38, Corn, Oklahoma 73024) or the Et Cetera Shop (121 N. State St., Weatherford, Oklahoma 73096).