Gwenna May Grossnickle, born September 16, 1932,  went to her heavenly home December 26, 2022.

Gwenna was born to Max and Helen Grossnickle on a farm in Laurens IA. It was there she met her future husband. Hans was a handsome milk tester who came to their home once a month when Gwenna was a teen. Her mom, Helen, approved of Hans and cleverly managed to set up the first date.  Hans and Gwenna married on June 7, 1950, and had five children: Colleen (Tim), Gayle (Rick), Mark (Kathy), Bruce (Joelle) and Lori (David). Gwenna played many roles besides wife, mom and Gran/Great Gran. Gardener (she grew such beautiful plants and flowers), lay person/preacher, singer and member of Sweet Adelines, grocery store operator, church piano player, cow and pig chaser (and even once, pig rider) and friend to many. She made birthdays and holidays special, adding her special touches and traditions. She endured "let's scare mom" moments from her kids (well, from some of us anyway), and somehow had the patience of a saint to put up with all of us. Coffee, God and naps may have been part of her secret.

Gwenna loved to laugh and, almost up to the time she left us, was making jokes. Many hours were spent playing cards, often ending in silliness and laughing until we cried.  Her faith and love for the Lord were strong. Certainly, many of us were blessed by and benefitted from her prayers.

Hans and Gwenna eventually moved from the farm home in Curlew IA nearby to their beautiful, peaceful home by the pond. They stayed there for many years before they had to move to an apartment in Emmetsburg, IA after flooding did major damage to the home. After Hans passed in 2016, Gwenna moved to Denver Co to be closer to Bruce and family to be taken care of in an assisted living apartment. She was adored by staff there and they provided the best of care to her.\

Gwenna was preceded in death by her parents, Hans, sister Ruth Ann Miller, brother Wayne Grossnickle, granddaughter Gretchen Schaefer. and daughter-in-law Kathy Burkholder. She is survived by her children, nine grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren and brother Max Grossnickle.

A celebration of life will be held at a later, much warmer date in Iowa.

My mother seems so far away from me
On that beautiful white shore across the sea.
Yet I remember love's soft glow upon her face
And the feel of her touch and tender embrace.

When I am weary from the burdens I've borne,
And the path is unclear and I feel so forlorn,
I remember her loving support was always near
And her advice made the path ahead seem clear.

When I feel there is no one who seems to care,
Or when the heartache seems too hard to bear,
I remember how she always stood by my side
And would tenderly wipe away the tears I cried.

When there are moments of great joy and pride
And I wish my Mother was standing at my side,
I remember she saw more than I thought I could be,
And know I owe my triumphs to her belief in me.

When I reminisce about the things she used to say
And I miss her and think she is so far away,
I remember what she gave lives on through me,
And one day I'll see her on the shore across the sea.