Patrick Dennis Gossen

Patrick Dennis Gossen
8/27/43- 4/9/22

Pat grew up in Rock Rapids, Iowa, a small town, where everyone there knew the Gossen boys. Pat and his big brother Ladell had many boyhood adventures, playing football on the courthouse lawn, fishing in the Rock River and jumping across the "stepping- stones," generally getting into little boy trouble.

He graduated from Central Lyon High School in 1961 and attended the University of South Dakota. After college he moved to Des Moines, Iowa where he began his career with Continental Grain Co. He started in accounting, moved into grain trading, then into barge freight trading in a division of the company, Conti Carriers and Terminals. He worked for CCT until the company was sold, then continued in the barge industry as a consultant until he was hired by American Commercial Barge Lines in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He worked for ACBL until his retirement at age 67. It's a small world in the barge business and Pat made many lifelong friends in the industry.

During his years in the grain business, a colleague asked him to join him at a lunch meeting with Barbara Snyder of Sand Seed Service. He wasn't all that excited to attend, but as fate had planned it, he and Barbara hit it off, lunch turned into dinner, the rest is history. They married in 1973, daughter Nicole was born in 1974 and son Michael in 1979. They had many moves throughout the Midwest, settling for almost 20 years in Schaumburg, Illinois. They were fortunate to live in a neighborhood where wonderful friends and memories were made. Pat and Barbara moved to Louisville during his time with ACBL and after retirement were coerced just a little, well maybe a lot by daughter Niki, to move to the Kansas City area. This move brought them close to Niki and family and closer to family in Iowa. Unfortunately for son Mike and family their distance was a bit further.

Sports, he loved playing, coaching, and watching them. He played basketball and ran track in high school. He enjoyed a round of golf pretty much whenever possible. He coached little league baseball, known as the coach who wanted every kid to play. He was his kids and grandkids biggest fan at every event he attended, Kylie and Collin will ever remember his prompting them to "Play like a champion" or "Give it 100%." Many hours were spent on the couch watching sports, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bears, Louisville Cardinals, Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones were among his favorites and professional golf, hours and hours of golf. His competitive spirit showed up in a few non-sports related activities as well, he was always up for a game of trivia or just about any card game.

Technology was not always his friend, but it allowed him many FaceTime calls with Mike and family. He was able to watch the entertaining antics of Ben and Jack and hear his youngest grandchild Lucy, say "papa."

Patrick has left behind his loving wife Barbara, daughter Nicole (Shannon) Berge and their children Kylie and Collin, son Michael (Margaret) Gossen and their children Ben, Jack, and Lucy. He also leaves his beloved brother, Ladell (Lynn) Gossen, stepbrothers Leslie (Rae Ann) Lensch and Chris (Nellie) Lensch, along with a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Delphin Gossen, his stepfather Robert Lensch and his mother Betty Lensch.

Patrick was a child of God, a loving husband, father, papa, son, brother, and uncle. A good friend to many. He lived his life by the motto he reminded his children of often, "Remember the golden rule." The gift of faith and family gave him strength during his 5 year battle with liver cancer. We were all blessed to have been a part of his life.

There will be a luncheon following the funeral service at The 180 Room at 11944 Strang Line Rd in Olathe from 12-2.

If preferred, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Memorial Fund in lieu of flowers.

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