John Bernard Gossen

John Bernard Gossen died March 17 2020 in St Cloud MN from complications after emergency surgery.

Born 6/23/1932 to William & Elizabeth (Dirckx) Gossen in Ghent MN.

One of the youngest of 15 children, he grew up and worked on the family farm that was built by his namesake Grandfather John, in Minneota MN (farm is still in the family).

He joined the Air Force Reserves April 14 1952 and earned his GED in 1953 while in the Air Force Reserves.   He was honorably discharged March 19 1956, earning medals for Nat’l Defense Service and Good Conduct. 

On October 18, 1958, he was joined in Holy Matrimony to Mary Frances Stalpes in Ghent MN.

Together they raised 3 children: Lori, Craig and John Jr.

Throughout their lives together, they lived in Mpls, New Hope and finally made their home in Monticello in 1970. They purchased a barber/beauty shop business where he was the ‘Town Barber’ where people told their stories while getting their hair done.  They resided above that business on main street until 1981 when they moved into their ‘dream home’ that he proudly built for his family through blood, sweat, & tears and his own 2 hands.

When he retired from being a business owner, that didn’t stop him.  He brought the chair and barber tools home and continued to cut hair for close friends, his sons and grandsons.

Survived by his 3 children: Lori Winter; Craig (Charmein) Gossen; John (Jane) Gossen;

Grandchildren: Benjamin Winter, Jenna Winter, Crystal Gossen, Adam (Heidi) Gossen, Matthew Winter, Zachary Gossen; Sisters: Mildred, Mary Ann, Janette; sisters-in-law: Vonnie, Ruth; brother-in-law: Bernard; Great Grandchildren: Shayna & Mariah Gossen; Simon Winter, Josiah Winter; Aylee Gossen and ‘Uncle John’ to so many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 48 years, 11 siblings, son-in-law Eldon Winter

Up until the day of his death, he was very active at home putting wrenches together as a part-time job; did odds & ends around the house and for others; made coffee rounds in the community but mostly with his close friend, Dave Krause.

He loved his children, but his crowning achievement are his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  In previous years when John & Mary became snow-birds, they flew their grandchildren (when old enough & separately) to TX to spend quality time with them. When it came to the young ones, his heart melted.  Endearing, loving, giving, supportive, always there for family, provider, early to show up-only late when he got lost, told many jokes (sometimes he was the only one laughing), played many a golf games, humble and honest, gentle and strong-willed (I.e. stubborn), not afraid to tell it like it is (welcomed or otherwise).

We believe he would say he lived a good-life.  We are very blessed he was our dad, grandpa, great grandpa. We believe he is now with his loving wife for eternity.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Bernard Gossen, please visit our floral store.