Obituary of John William Gottschall

Please click here to view the livestream of the service

Bill passed away peacefully at College Park II in Regina, SK with family by his side on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the age of 94 years. 

Bill was born in Vanguard, SK.  He spent his early years in Silton, SK, before moving to Regina with his parents.  Bill graduated from Balfour Technical Institute (1945) in Regina, SK.  Bill married Gwen nee Leach) on June 7, 1952.  They spent many summers with their children at their cottage on Last Mountain Lake and trailering through the northwest United States.  Bill followed in his dad’s footsteps in his lapidary hobby.  The family spent many trips gathering Montana agates, Yellowstone River agates, jade, garnets, petrified wood, and other precious stones.

He retired from SaskPower in 1985 after working there for more than 30 years.  His career had him working in Regina, Yorkton, and then back to Regina for the last seven years.

Following a career of more than 30 years with SaskPower, Bill and Gwen spent their retirement travelling extensively, rock hunting, attending theatrical and musical productions, spending time at their cottage on Last Mountain Lake, and rarely missed a school or extra-curricular event of their grandchildren. They were very active in the crafting community - collecting and polishing rocks and semi-precious stones, turning them into beautiful art pieces and jewelry.  They attend craft shows province-wide with dad’s last craft sale in December 2020.  Bill was well known for his sterling silver band rings and wire-wrapped jewelry. 

Bill was predeceased by his parents, John (1959) and Minnie (1987) Gottschall, his beloved wife Gwen (2011), and great-grandson Cayden Zamonsky (2015). Bill leaves to mourn his passing and celebrate his life: his son Dave Gottschall (Patti Cossette), granddaughter Tyresa Curtis (Brian Borean) and their children Jayda, Keagan, Madii, Ethan and Lily; grandson Sean (Janelle) Gottschall and their son Sam; Bill Gottschall, Scott Cossette (Shayna Hamilton), Blair Cossette (Taunia Stevens); Jordan Cossette and his son Jake. His daughter Karen (John) French, grandchildren Marianne (Craig) Zamonsky and their sons Cohen and Cashton; Michelle Schurko and Michael Schurko (Amanda Sellers) and their sons Beckwith and Trace; brother-in-law Bob Leach and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Bill’s family wishes to extend their deep appreciation to Bill Horbach and the staff at College Park II. In lieu of flowers, the family asked for those so wishing to make a donation to William Booth Special Care Home, 50 Angus Rd, Regina, SK S4R 8P6.

A Private Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. To view the livestream of the service, please click on the link above the obituary.