Obituary of Armella Gottschalk

Coffeyville - Armella Gottschalk, 96, of Coffeyville passed away Friday, April 6, at Windsor Place in Coffeyville. She was born February 29, 1916 in Hays, KS to Ludwig and Rose Befort. Armella grew up on a farm a few miles outside of Hays with her three sisters Minnie, Jennie, and Adeline and her four brothers - Andrew, Richard, Theodore and Alfred. She married Marcus Gottschalk of Schoenchen, Kansas in 1934 and the couple farmed in the area for several years. In 1945 Armella and her husband moved to Coffeyville, and together they raised a family of twelve children. Despite being busy raising a large family, Armella was active with her church, Holy Name Catholic Church. She served as president of the Altar Society and vice president of Church United Women. She and her husband Marcus also received a national Family of the Month award from the Knights of Columbus. Armella set an example for her family that education is important by going back to school to obtain her GED or high school diploma after her youngest child, Tom, started first grade. She then went on to attend Coffeyville Community College and earned 33 credit hours. She and her husband Marcus were named Family of the Year at CCC for encouraging education for students of all ages. They were awarded lifetime tickets to attend all sporting events there. Her favorite hobby was quilting, and she made quilts for each of her children and grandchildren. She estimated that she made over 70 throughout the years. She also loved to travel throughout the U.S. and internationally to Canada, Europe and the Holy Land. For the past eleven years, Armella was a resident of Windsor Assisted Living in Coffeyville where she was well cared for by loving staff. Armella is survived by her two sisters, Jennie Pfeifer of Colorado Springs, CO and Adeline Werth of Hays, KS. Her husband, Marcus, and sons LeRoy Gottschalk and Gary Gottschalk have preceded her in death. Her surviving children are Shirley Bartle of Hot Springs Village, AK, Bill Gottshalk of Bellevue, NE, Pat Miller of Coffeyville, Mildred Gilbert, Debbra Gottschalk, and Linda Gottschalk of Tulsa, OK, Tom Gottschalk of Lenexa, KS, and Twila Rogers, Jim Gottschalk, and Marilyn Keys of Houston, TX. She also leaves behind many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. A Rosary Vigil Service will be held at 6:00 P.M., Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at Holy Name Catholic Church, 408 Willow. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Name at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, April 12, 2012 with Father Ben Nguyen officiating. Internment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Coffeyville. The family suggests memorials to Holy Name Catholic Church for Holy Name Catholic School; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Hone, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337. Friends may call on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.