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Donald Lee "Peg Leg" Gossen Sr.

1948 - 2016

Donald Lee "Peg Leg" Gossen Sr. obituary, 1948-2016, Appleton, WI

BORN

1948

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Valley Funeral Home - Appleton

2211 N. Richmond Street

Appleton, Wisconsin

Donald Gossen Obituary

Gossen Sr., Donald "Peg Leg" Lee

Donald Lee Gossen, Sr. "Peg Leg" went home to the arms of his Savior on October 14, 2016. He was born December 21, 1948 in Neenah, WI, son of the late Marvin and Gladys (Jorgenson) Gossen.

Don passed peacefully of a sudden illness, surrounded by his loving wife Lori (Scott-Heideman) Gossen, and his two sons Don Jr. and Chad (Heather). Also with Don were his loving brothers and sisters, Delores "Dee" Spiegel, Robert "Bob" Gossen, Joan Collins, Beverly (Tom) Eisch, and Marvin Jr. "Butch" (Barb) Gossen, his Stepson Jeremy Heideman, Stepdaughter Michelle (Heideman) Robley, and Step grandson Andy Zimmer. Two of Robert Gossen's daughters, Barb and Bridget, Bev's son Jeff, Don and Lori's close friends Geoff and Ann Braden, and of course, Don's little princess puppy Gizmo.

Don graduated from Appleton West High School in 1968, studied at Fox Valley Technical College and became a graphic arts designer, and worked at various printing and graphics companies throughout the Fox Valley and Green Bay area over his lifetime.

Donald's love of life was evident by his always smiling face and charismatic charm which will be missed by all. Some of Don's favorite times were spending nights by the fire with friends, camping, collecting coins, seeing his two boys grow into the men they are today, watching his 10 grandchildren play, his Poker Tuesdays, watching the Packers beat the heck out of the Cowboys, and making every moment count with everyone he held dear. Don would be the first to give you the shirt off his back and the last person to ask for a helping hand. The world lost a great man this day, but Heaven gained a saint.

He loved having grandchildren in his life and cherished his time spent with; Stella, Max and Raina, Andy, Alaina, Karley and Morgan, Cheyanne, Genavive, Abigail, and Sophia. Don was an inspiration to so many, especially his sons, he gave his all whenever he could, however he could, in more ways than can be expressed...a special, wonderful, caring, loving man...truly a one of a kind gift from God!!

A funeral service for Don will be held at 6:00pm, Thursday, October 20, 2016 at Valley Funeral Home, 2211 N. Richmond St, Appleton with Rev. Dave Vande Hey officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 3:00pm until 5:45pm. Interment will take place at Highland Memorial Park.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Appleton Post-Crescent on Oct. 16, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
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6 Entries

Kirk Anderson

March 26, 2021

I just found out that Don had passed away! I am really saddened to hear this. I went to AHW with him. Hung out at Black's Drive in with him. He was so nice and fun to be around. Smiled a lot. Good sense of humor. Just a really nice kid. I was at Black's when we all found out about his motorcycle accident. He had his accident almost the exact same time Roy Barkholz had his. They both ended up in the hospital. Everyone was trying to figure which hospitals they were in and they kept getting it wrong. Then one day I went to Black's and told everyone that I knew exactly which hospitals they were in. I was wrong! That's when Dick Fromme gave me my nickname: Scoop. He said to me, Oh yeah, Kirk, you really had the scoop! Totally blew it. Or something to that effect. But most of us went to visit Don and Roy in the hospital. Just so sad to see so many of the people I knew, leaving us. God's speed, Don!

Judy & Roger Anderson

October 25, 2016

So sorry and shocked to learn of Don's passing. Our deepest sympathy to the family. Thoughts and prayers at this diffictult time.

Jim Boots Krueger

October 22, 2016

I knew Donny back in school when he had his accdent, he was a great guy and will be missed by all.

Bob & Mary Blair

October 19, 2016

So sorry for your loss he was a very kind man

Jim & Cheryl Marx

October 16, 2016

So very sorry for your loss. Don will be truely missed. God Bless Dons family and friends.

Michelle Greely

October 16, 2016

Sorry for your families loss. He was a great guy, shared many laughs with him at Bachelors II.

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Memorial Events
for Donald Gossen

Oct

20

Visitation

3:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.

Valley Funeral Home - Appleton

2211 N. Richmond Street, Appleton, WI 54911

Oct

20

Funeral service

6:00 p.m.

Valley Funeral Home - Appleton

2211 N. Richmond Street, Appleton, WI 54911

Funeral services provided by:

Valley Funeral Home - Appleton

2211 N. Richmond Street, Appleton, WI 54911

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