Gordon Mostoller

Gordon Mostoller

1949 - 2026

Gordon Mostoller passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 20th. He was born on January 19, 1949, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, to Harold and Gertrude (Bouchie) Mostoller.

Gordon grew up on a farm south of Grand Rapids, where he developed a deep love for horses and farming. He spent countless hours riding his favorite horse, Blossom, along local trails and earned many ribbons and awards at the county fair. In the years that followed graduation, Gordy had a few more horses to ride and play with, but life got busy and he didn't have the time to do what he loved.

During his high school years, he worked at Kremer's Department Store as a maintenance/janitor and shelf-stocker for two years. He later worked at Blandin Paper Company while attending Itasca Community College and Bemidji State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in education and later obtained his master's degree. With the Vietnam War draft looming, Gordon enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard and Reserve.

While in college, Gordon met his soulmate, Audrey Kuhl. They were united in marriage on March 23, 1971, in Watertown, South Dakota. Gordon began his teaching career at North Elementary School in Talmoon, Minnesota (north of Deer River), and went on to dedicate 35 years to education, finishing his career at King Elementary School in Deer River, Minnesota.

In 1977, following the passing of his father, Gordy and Audrey took over the family's summer business of raising structures-houses, cabins, garages, barns, and even an airplane hangar. Their work took them across the region, from Effie to Hill City and Cass Lake to Hibbing, where they met many wonderful people along the way. This business turned into buying houses, fixing them up, renting them out, and later selling them. Along with working on buildings, Gordy enjoyed working in his wood shop making jewelry boxes for his kids and grandkids, or if you needed anything made from wood, he would design it and make it for you.

Gordy, an excellent writer, and, although spelling wasn't his strong suit, he completed a lifelong dream of writing a book. He, along with Audrey's help, self-published six young adult novels. The books were popular among older adults recollecting experiencing some of the same events portrayed in the books.

Gordy and Audrey's anniversary was March 23, and during the first years when times were lean and they couldn't afford to do anything extravagant to celebrate, they, along with their children, would take a walk in the woods to the back corner of their property to check on spring arriving. Just a reminder, you don't have to have a lot of money or a lot of stuff to create a wonderful memory.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Audrey, his sons, Owen (Melissa) Mostoller and Scott (Kelsey Bemis) Mostoller, daughters, Jenny (Doug) Bodin, and Denise (Nick Odelius) Pederson, sisters, Charlotte Bouchie, and Jeanette (Art) Hamm, uncle, Edwin Mostoller, fourteen grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren with one more arriving in June.

Gordon was preceded in death by brothers, Dale and David Mostoller, sisters Joyce and Marlos Hamlin, brother-in-laws, Russ Bouchie, Robert Kuhl, and Don Neu, and sister-in-law, Sharon Kuhl.

A visitation will be held Saturday, April 11, 2026, beginning at 1:00 PM at Grace Bible Chapel, Grand Rapids, MN with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 PM at the church. Rev. Charles Nelson will officiate. Military honors will be accorded by the Grand Rapids Veterans Honor Guard at Grace Bible Chapel immediately following the memorial service. Burial will be at Itasca-Calvary Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangements are with Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcreatory.com.