Leon Max Gosch

On January 27, 1947, Leon was born to Walter and LaDonna (Lafrentz) Gosch in Ida Grove, Iowa. He attended Schleswig Community Schools throughout his entire education. In high school, he was an all-star athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and track. During a Homecoming dance, Leon met the love of his life, Sheryl (Thul), and thus started a love story of more than 60 years. After graduation, Leon and Sheryl were married on June 27, 1965, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig, Iowa. Leon continued playing football at Morningside College for two seasons and majored in Marketing.

After college, he returned to Schleswig to help his father farm and raise livestock. Leon was active in the Schleswig Community Club and golf course, Jaycees, and United Church of Christ Property Committee for many years. He spent many summers golfing and going on fishing trips with his buddies to South Dakota and Canada. Leon was a hardworking, dedicated, and resilient farmer. He was proud to be farming the land that had been farmed by his family for over one hundred years.

Leon’s daily schedule consisted of meeting with friends for coffee in the morning, socializing at local hangouts, or hosting friends at his man cave to play cards in the afternoon. His man cave showed off the intricate replicas he made of western stagecoaches/wagons and sports memorabilia. Leon had extensive woodworking skills in making furniture, clocks, dollhouses, and ornate coasters. Together, Leon and Sheryl have a long history of celebrating 4th of July, New Years, Super Bowl, and competing in bowling leagues with their close group of friends over the years.

Leon was a devoted son and husband. He was a loving father to Lynn, Rod, Sara, and Leta. He was a man of integrity, generosity, and tradition. Leon took great pride in teaching his children how to raise club calves for Calf Show Days as his father did with him. He enjoyed attending birthday celebrations, graduations, weddings, and sporting events for his kids and grandchildren no matter the distance. The 1984 State Football Championship was a special highlight for him and his family. Leon was an avid Hawkeye and Cyclone fan, depending on which of his kids he was talking to. Above all, family and friends were most important to him.

He passed away surrounded by his family on Monday, August 18, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 78 years, six months and 22 days. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law: Larry and Robert Thul.

Leon is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sheryl Gosch of Schleswig; children: Lynn (Jim) Amend of Naperville, Illinois, Rod (Joelle) Gosch of Corcoran, Minnesota, Sara (Heath) McDonald of Bellevue, Nebraska and Leta (Rob) Ehlers of South Shore, Kentucky; grandchildren: Nick Amend (Marissa), Derek Amend, Mara Gosch (Ethan Meyer), Aaron Gosch, Brooke McDonald, Brett McDonald, Jared Amend and Brynn McDonald; sisters-in-law, Sharon (Don) Tharnish, Lori (Larry) Boysen, Tami (Greg) Larison and Judy Neitzke; and many other family members and friends. Leon left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. He held a special place in many hearts and will forever be missed.

Visitation with family greeting friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the United Church of Christ in Schleswig. His funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2025, also at the United Church of Christ with interment to follow in the Morgan Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family for various donations to be made in the Schleswig community.