West Pilot: Funeral services for Mrs Sophie Gorsch, 87, were held Monday afternoon in the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church with her pastor, the Rev E Jasmann, officiating, assited by her former pastor, the Rev L A Moser of Lowell, Wis. Two duets, "Going down the Valley" and "Rock of Ages" were sung by Mrs Russell Davis and Mrs Cecil Gorsch, accompanied by Mrs Chas H Smith. Flowers were cared for by Mrs Chas Goettsch and Minnie Furler. Interment was in the adjoining cemetery. Serving as casket bearers were six grandsons, Ivan Smith, Russell, Cecil, Alva and Edward Gorsch and Kenneth Hadenfeldt. Mrs. Gorsch was born in Mecklenberg, Germany December 23, 1863, the daughter of Henry and Fredericka Roggentine. She died Friday at the hospital in Independence.
She was baptized at the age of six weeks and confirmed when she was fourteen years of age. When she was 17 she came to America with a cousin and resided in the Amana colonies for three years. In 1880 she was married to Fred Gorsch and the home was made near Conroy. Two years later they moved to Pilot twp, where they lived for about 30 years. In 1917 she moved to Marengo and after her health began to fail she made her home with her children. The last several years she has been with her son George in Cedar Rapids. Since falling and fracturing a hip in October, she has been hospitalized.
Of the 13 children born to Mrs. Gorsch and her husband, eight survive their mother. They are Frank of Williamsburg, George, Fred, and Everett of Cedar Rapids, Mrs Eddie Allen of San Francisco, Henry of Sacramento, Calif., Mrs. Clara Smith and Mrs Minnie Hadenfeldt of Williamsburg. Also surviving are one sister, Mrs Frieda Hopp, of Marengo, 41 grandchildren, 82 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. Her husband passed away suddenly on April 1, 1913 and five children preceded her in death, Molly and Johnnie, when they were small, and Rena Erue, Lillie Thomas and Edward. Mrs. Gorsch was a charter member of Zion's church and of the Women's Guild.