Martin “Pepper” Gossling

Friday, January 18, 2019 2:43 pm

Martin “Pepper” Gossling, 85, of Fort Atkinson, died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, at the Good Samaritan Society Home in West Union. Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, at Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel, Fort Atkinson, with Rev. Aaron Junge officiating. Lector was Casey Rausch. Eucharistic ministers were Kristi Creek, Alicia and Scott Baumler. Organist was Jeanette Dietzenbach. Soloist was Lynette Wheeler. St. John’s Choir also sang. Hymns were “Precious Lord,” “Prayer of St. Francis,” “On Eagles Wings” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Offertory gift bearers were Kelly Kuennen, Dayna Soukup, Chloe Gossling and Gabe Creek. Casket bearers were Martin’s grandsons. Honorary casket bearers were Martin’s granddaughters. Military rites were provided by Huber Steffes American Legion Post 672 Ft. Atkinson, United States Army. Interment was at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Little Turkey. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel, Fort Atkinson.

Martin (Pepper) Anton Gossling was born Nov. 12, 1933, to John Gossling and Augusta (Hartman) Gossling on the family farm near Festina. He was the fourth of seven children. Martin attended school at St. Mary’s in Festina through ninth grade he later obtained his GED. Martin served in the Army from 1953 to 1955 in Germany with the “B” Battery 62nd AFA Battalion. Martin married Margaret Barbara Langreck April 7, 1956, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. Together they raised seven children and they farmed for many years in the Ossian and Waucoma areas. He also was a full-time welder at ABCO Engineering in Oelwein. He retired from ABCO in 1998. He enjoyed hunting, reading, woodworking, fixing things, and most of all, spending time with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Martin is survived by his wife, Margaret Gossling, Ft. Atkinson; Steve Gossling, Waucoma; Janet (Steve) Houdek, Calmar; Ken (Connie) Gossling, Waucoma; Joe Gossling, Lawler; Kevin (Lori) Gossling, Calmar; Sue (Duane) Cushion, Maynard; Scott (Stacey) Gossling, Decorah; grandchildren: Dan Houdek (friend Sarah); Jon (Jamie) Houdek; Kristi (Devin ) Creek; Kelly (Ben) Kuennen; Casey (Derek) Rausch; Dayna (Kyle) Soukup; Ryan Gossling; Chad Gossling; Alicia (Scott) Baumler; Nick (friend Teressa) Gossling; Chloe Gossling; great-grandchildren: Emma, Olivia, Holten, Liam, Gabe, Mitch, Kayla, Austin, Ava, Annika, Greta, Oliver, Jayden, Kinzey, Kortlynn, Eli, Annora, Aphelia; brother, Norbert (Darlene) Gossling; sister, Maryam Gossling FSPA; sisters-in-law: Bev Gossling, Virginia Kuhn, Edna Jirak, Agatha Busta, Lillian Chipera; brothers-in-law: Jerry Langreck, Charles (Mildred) Langreck, Clem Langreck.

Martin was preceded in death by parents, John and Augusta Gossling; mother and father-in-law, John and Lena (Mihm) Langreck; sisters: Marie (Frank) Tieskotter, Teresa (Alvin) Myers, Rita (Bob) Gebel; brother, Alphonse Gossling; brothers-in-law: Henry (Verda) Langreck, Louis Langreck, Francis (Katherine) Langreck, Julian Kuhn, Larry Jirak, Stanley Busta, Paul Chipera; sisters-in-law: Eileen Langreck, Bernice Langreck, Marie Langreck, Beata (Ray) Schmelzer.