Jean Gass

Jean Gass, 95, of Melcher-Dallas, Iowa passed away peacefully on Monday, August 29, 2022, with her family by her side. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Melcher-Dallas. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Melcher-Dallas.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed through the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/jean-gass

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Melcher-Dallas Fire Department, Suncrest Hospice, or Birthright of Knoxville.

Jean was born near Milo, Iowa on February 1, 1927, to Forest and Della (McNeer) Vander Linden. She grew up on the farm alongside her siblings and attended McNeer school just across the road from home so was able to go home every day for lunch. They had no electricity and carried water for the home. Heat was from a wood and coal stove. She later graduated from Milo High School. After high school, she attended AIB to train for a job in the U. S. Civilian Corp at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio requisitioning airplane parts for the government since WWII was in progress. After the war, she attended Simpson college and earned a teaching degree and taught at the McNeer country school, the same school she had attended as a child.

On May 5, 1947, she was united in marriage to Russell Gass. They made their home on a farm near where they grew up and continued to live there for 55 years. They were blessed with four children: Harry, Linda, Ann, and Robert.

Jean was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she belonged to the Altar and Rosary, taught Catechism, and was on the parish council, kitchen committee, and assisted with funeral dinners. She also volunteered for Hospice and Birthright and was a member of the CC Club.

There are many words you could use to describe Jean: caring, kind, funny, classy, determined, genuine, hard worker, servant heart, and even ornery. She was always a step ahead, even as she got older. She could often find a reason to fire her caregivers and locked one of them out of the house. She even remembered to hide the spare key, so they couldn’t get back in. She was always sure to do what her kids wanted her to while they were in her presence, especially those things to keep her safe. As soon as they were out of sight though, she would tend to do it her way.

One of the most fitting words to describe Jean is love, the greatest of her love being for her family, friends, and God. She loved for the family to stop by for a visit or go places together, such as craft shows and shoe shopping. She enjoyed making quilts, going dancing, playing cards, and crocheting. She also loved cooking and baking. Her home was the family meeting place, where there were many gatherings and meals had together. Jean felt fortunate that her children settled near home so she could see them, the grandchildren, and great grandchildren often.

Jean will be dearly missed by her children: Harry (Alonna) Gass, Linda Wadle, Ann (Bill) Miller, and Robert Gass; grandchildren: Laurie Goff, Patty (Jim) Russell, Tony (Angie) Wadle, Ben (Sarah) Wadle, and step grandchildren Tammy (Jeff) Jenkins, and William Barnett; great grandchildren: Clinton Goff, Connor Goff, Jacob Russell, Kyle Russell, Olivia Wadle, Hayden Wadle, Andrew Maresca, and Avery Maresca, and step great grandchildren: Alec Geil and Matthew (Ciara) Geil; sister, Rita Howe; and sister-in-law, Madalyn Vander Linden.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell; daughter-in-law, Marjorie Gass; son-in-law, Jim Wadle; sisters: Doris Vander Linden, Margery (Bob) Jones, Kathryn (Glen) Wadle, Marilyn (Don) Griffith, and Joy (Guy) Graham; and brothers: Richard (Agatha) Vander Linden, Bud Vander Linden, and Dean (Lorraine) Vander Linden.