Marilyn Elizabeth Gonser, age 80, of Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully at home on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Mary Wasco; daughter-in-law, Katherine Gonser; and sister-in-law, Dorothea (George) Regetz. Marilyn is survived by her husband of 59 years, John Gonser; children, Karl Gonser, Karen (David) Wisdom; sister, Jaqueline (Joseph) Dumont; sisters-in-law Marilyn (Alvin) Schalge and Kathryn (Peter) Eloff; and grandchildren, Jacob, Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Jessica Gonser. She was born and raised here in Grand Rapids, attending St. Adalbert’s and Catholic Central, and then majored in mathematics at Michigan State University. Soon after, she married John and moved to Minneapolis where they both worked for Honeywell, until the time when she quit working to focus on raising her family. Marilyn spent her life loving and caring for those around her, with her most joyful moments being those that were spent with family and friends, and her proudest moments were in her children’s and grandchildren’s successes. A small funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m., followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. A memorial Mass will be held for Marilyn at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Fr. Peter Damian presiding, at a later date to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 in her name.
5 Responses
Your Mother and wife was a wonderful woman, by evidence of the lovely family that I have had the pleasure to know. She will be missed.
Our deepest condolences and prayers for you and your family.
She was definitely one of the kindest people I’ve ever met.
May the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ give you strength at this time, and may His glory bring you comfort. Our prayers are with your family always.
The Deederly’s
My heartfelt condolences to you John and your whole family. Your love for Marilyn was so profound in the talks we had and I can only hope my marriage is the same. May God comfort and bless you in the days ahead. Sending warm hugs and prayers
Marilyn was the most sweetest, gracious and beautiful person I have met. She is a blessing to us all who knew her. My heartfelt sympathies to John and the whole Gonser family. You are in our prayers and please let us know how we can assist you in thought, word and deed.