Murray Bennett Gotsdiner

Murray B. Gotsdiner, of Clive, Iowa, was born in Des Moines, Iowa on January 2, 1953 to Shirlee Ann and Harold B. Gotsdiner. He passed away on March 22, 2025 at 2:15 a.m.
Murray grew up in his family's business, Heaven to 7, working at the store throughout his childhood and early teens. He had all the usual jobs as a teenager and started a stereo and TV repair business that became such a success that it overran his family's basement and kept his dad from getting into his own driveway.
In July of 1971 he met the love of his life, Debora Zadina, a beauty queen from Corvalis, Oregon. They were married seven months later. From this marriage came three wonderful children: Alex, Erik, and Elizabeth.
Murray graduated in 1971 from Valley High School in West Des Moines. He received both his undergraduate and law degree from Drake University. Besides working full time to support his family all the way through college and law school, he managed a number of times to make the Dean's List both as an undergraduate and in law school.
Following law school, Murray started his own practice and eventually formed a law firm which has since become McEnroe, Gotsdiner, Steinbach, Rothman, & Kendall P.C., an AV rated mid-sized general practice firm in West Des Moines. He became licensed in all state courts both in Iowa and Texas and was admitted to various federal courts; including, the United States Supreme Court. In 1983, Murray and Debora traveled to Washington, D.C. for his swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Supreme Court. Chief Justice Warren Burger, sitting en banc (all 9 justices present), swore him in.
He and his partners built a successful law practice during which time he had the privilege and honor of representing many large companies, banks, and businesses of all types in various legal matters in many different states. Over the years, he never stopped helping the less fortunate by representing hundreds of indigent people in mental health and substance abuse commitment hearings. He also served as a volunteer arbitrator for many years for the Des Moines Better Business Bureau.
Murray loved to travel. He and Debby traveled the world. He loved Las Vegas and managed to make it out there 2-3 times a year for over 40 years. He and Debby also made over 30 trips to all of the Hawaiian Islands. Also on the list of travels were various trips to the Caribbean, Mexico, Tel Aviv, Paris, London, and Munich. He knew all the good spots and the airline clubs in all of the hub airports.
His favorite destination, however, was Panama City Beach, Florida. Over the years, he and Debby acquired a number of properties there; including, his ground floor, beach front condo where he would sit for hours looking over the snow white baby powder sand, at the ocean tides and beach activities. When Erik came down, it was often fishing off the fishing pier. On many trips to Oregon when the kids were young, a regular activity was crabbing off the Pacific Coast, and cooking them and eating them on the spot. That was living.
Murray is survived by his wife, Debora Gotsdiner, sons, Alexander Gotsdiner and Erik Gotsdiner, daughter Elizabeth (Jacob) Carrier, brother Evan (Christy) Gotsdiner, sister Marcia Salem (Tony Belluchi), grandchildren Charlotte and Otto Carrier. He has been reunited with his best buddy, Sabo.
A private graveside service was held at Glendale Jewish Cemetery. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Variety the Children's Charity or the Animal Rescue League of Des Moines in his memory.
Arrangements by Iles Dunn's Chapel.
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