Michelle Gorgas
January 01, 2010
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Service Details
Michelle Gorgas, 62, passed away suddenly, Friday, January 1, 2010. She was born on February 6, 1947 to Wilma and Fred Smith in Des Moines, Iowa.
She enjoyed shopping, having a cup of coffee while reading the newspaper and spending time with her grandchildren and family.
She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Martin Gorgas, her two boys, Richard Gorgas and Thomas (Jacque) Gorgas, grandchildren, Ryan Gorgas and Hadie Gorgas. She was preceded in death by her parents and aunt and uncle Cliff and Noni Helstrom.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2010, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa, followed by a reception at the Otter Creek Golf Course, 1410 NE 36th Street in Ankeny. A visitation with the family present will be from time 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at the funeral home. Private burial will be held at Greenwood Friends Cemetery in Ankeny, Iowa.
Memorial contributions may be made to Animal Rescue League in loving memory of Michelle.
Online condolences may be made to www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Jim & Nancy Grabau
01/07/2010
Dear Martin, Tom & Family, We were so sorry to read of your loss of Michelle in the paper. We have many fond memories of the fun times we shared at MBI summer meetings as well as trips taken. May God bless you with many good memories. Love, Jim & Nancy Grabau Boone, Ia
Dave Merrill
01/06/2010
Dear Martin & family,
I go back a long way with Marty & Michelle, as my grandpa Merrill lived at 1504 Jefferson, and I was the Des Moines Register paperboy on Jefferson, Mattern & Glenbrook during the early 1960's. I delivered papers to the Fred Smith house everyday of the week, & remember one Sunday morning about 5am a train derailed and hit their house, there were cows running all over the neighborhood, it was scary. I went to Wallace, Amos Hiatt & East with Michelle, graduating with her in 1965. I always admired Michelle because even though she was attractive, popular, and smart she was always so nice to everyone. She had so many friends because she was a nice person. I'm honored to say I was a friend. I'm sorry that I cannot be with you today to honor my friendship with Michelle, but just wanted you to know that I have you in my thoughts and prayers, and wish you strength during this time of sadness. We will all miss her smile.
David Merrill
dmerrill@davis-insurance.com
Jacquelyn Buhrmaster Yokem
01/05/2010
Marty and kids:
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Mickey. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We love you all.
Carl, Jacqui, and Dylan Yokem
Sue Bumgardner (nee)
01/05/2010
Dear Marty:
It was a long, long time ago, so long that you may not remember that my family lived on East Jefferson, half way down the block from your house and half way up the block from Michelles. We lived next door to the Beechs and you drove Denny and I to school during my last semester at East in the fall of 1960. I have such fond memories of your beautiful car a Ford convertible if my memory serves me right.
I havent lived in the Midwest for 40 years, but I have kept in touch as best I could, and learned long ago that you and Michelle had married. I was so tickled that two neat, neighborhood kids had hooked up. Whenever I think of her, she is smiling, with that sunshine-glow about her, and I see by the picture that she kept that happiness all her life.
I am so sorry to hear of Michelles passing, you must be in shock. You may recall that my first husband died of cancer when he was 24, back in 1966, so I know something of the grief that comes with losing the love of your life. I will be thinking of you and hoping you can have the time to work through this as best you can. It takes time, go gentle on yourself.
I kept in touch with Denny Beech and still cannot believe that he is gone. We are getting up there, but going before 70ish is just something I have a hard time getting my mind around.
Both of Dennys parents are gone and so are mine. My dad died in 1997 and Mom in 2000. I had 4 kids, now ages 44, 37, 36 and my second child, Allison died in a car crash in 1992 at age 22 years. Life has brought some great rewards and some great tragedies. We just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Sorry for this impersonal way to get in touch with you, but wanted you to know that you have the support of so many friends even those you havent heard from or seen in half a century!
On behalf of the Beech and Bumgardner Families,
God bless you and your family,
Suzanne Bumgardner Garrett
Houston, Texas
Kathy Scaglione
01/05/2010
Jacque, Tom, Hadie and family,
I am very sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you at this time and
anything I can do for you, please let me know. Michelle was a very respected
woman loved by many. I am thinking of you at this time...
Denise, Matt, Sarah & Abby Yaske
01/05/2010
We will forever treasure our memories of our trip to San Antonio, Spring Break 2009, with Michelle (Grandma Glitter), Hadie, and Jacque! We are blessed and thankful to have shared this time getting to know 'Grandma Glitter'. She is loved, and will be missed.
With love,
Denise, Matt, Sarah, & Abby Yaske
Larry & Becky Pottridge
01/05/2010
Dear Tom & Jacque,
Please accept our condolences for the loss of your mother and friend. We were so sorry to learn about this tragic event and know your hearts will be aching for some time to come.
Michelle touched many lives and will always remain in those hearts and memories.
Warmest Regards,
Larry & Becky
Bill @ Janis Balzer
01/05/2010
Martin & Family we are sorry to here of the passing of Micki, as we know a loving wife, mother,grandmother and friend. We will always have fond memories of our times together here and at Clear Lake. Friends always.
Jeff and Sarah Erkert
01/05/2010
We are so sorry to hear of Michelle's passing. We have so many wonderful memories of her and we enjoyed our time with her. We thought of her as family as we do all of you. We are thinking of you during this difficult time.
Denise Westendorf Riebe
01/05/2010
Dear Family,
Micki's presence will be dearly missed. She was always fun to be around! Our deepest sympathy is with all family and friends....Denise & Ross Riebe
Mary Lockridge Kaiser
01/05/2010
Marty, I am so sorry to learn of Michelle's passing. At every class reunion I was amazed at how beautiful she had remained all these long years since East High. The world has a new lovely angel now.
Cheryl Rothfus
01/05/2010
Martin, Tom and Jacque and Richard, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved wife and mom, Michelle. She was far too young to be taken from you so soon. My deepest thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this difficult time. Take care and God Bless.
Cindy Howell
01/05/2010
Dear Friends,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I have very fond memories of Mickey, Marty, Noni, and Mickey's dear friend, her Boxer. Mickey was the mature, demure lady among the young people on East Jefferson. Her friendship was a happy part of my childhood.
Marla and Jeff Inks
01/05/2010
Tom, Jacque and Hadie,
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. It's difficult to lose those who have meant so much to us, especially at such a young age. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. As you say good-bye to her physical presence and remember the many gifts she brought into your lives, may the memory of her life well-lived bring you comfort and peace. Your neighbors, Marla and Jeff
Tricia Zimmer
01/05/2010
I have only known Michelle for 2 years now working with her at Adesa, but she was always so sweet and helpful to me. She would smile at me when we worked across from each other on the auction block. She would always as me how I was doing and always listened. She always called me honey or sweety. I will miss her very much.
I hope her family knows how much her work family will miss her.