Janet Rose McIntosh Gorsuch was born on Aug. 28, 1937, to Melvin “Bill’ and Josephine (Piel) McIntosh in Mullen, Nebraska. She passed on Aug. 3, 2024, in her home surrounded by her loved ones. Janet was the oldest of four children. When Janet was 13, she had rheumatic fever and by the grace of God, she recovered. While she was sick, to pass the time, Janet learned to play the accordion.
While working as a carhop in high school a circus, the “Plunkett Show,” came through town and Janet decided to join them for a show in White River, South Dakota, singing and dancing. She quickly decided that that was not the life for her.
She attended school in Mullen and graduated with the class of 1955 as the Vice President. After graduation she began working for Erickson and Simonson Insurance Agency.
Two days before her 19th birthday, Janet married the love of her life, Wayne Gorsuch, on Aug. 26, 1956, in Alliance, Nebraska. This began a lifetime of love and ranching.
Janet and Wayne moved south of Whitman, Nebraska, as Wayne started a job working at the JL Schneider Ranch. Here they welcomed their first two boys, Marvin and Alan. Later, Janet and Wayne moved to Big Creek Ranch where Janet cooked, and Wayne cowboyed. They then moved back to Mullen to help Janet’s father with his trucking business, Janet also worked driving truck and taught Wayne how to drive.
Shortly after, Wayne started work at the Coble Ranch north of Mullen. They finally found their home in 1963 at the Joe Boyer Ranch. This is where they stayed for the next 31 years. Here they welcomed two more children, Loren and Karen. While living and working in Mullen, Janet drove bus and served in the cafeteria at the school.
In 1994, after 31 wonderful years in Mullen raising their children, they moved to Alliance where Wayne took a job working for Mark Buskirk on his farm. Janet took a job working at Dayco/Parker driving the forklift for 10 years.
She even took on a part time job working at Taco John’s for a short time. They later retired and stayed in Alliance in their home for the rest of their lives.
Janet was well known for her good food, open arms, and listening ear. Janet had a heart for serving and never stopped thinking about the people around her down to her last hours. She loved to chase her kids and grandkids to anything they were involved in and supported them whole heartedly. She loved to listen to the kids tell stories and whip up on her family in a game of cards. She also enjoyed spending time with the occasional slot machine, testing her chances. Her love story was true to the end and after nine months apart, they have been reunited in heaven, never to part again.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Wayne and her parents, Melvin “Bill” and Josephine McIntosh.
She is survived by her four children, Marvin (JoAnn) Gorsuch, Alan (Susan) Gorsuch, Loren Gorsuch (Franchone Mooney), and Karen (Travis) Petersen and her three younger siblings, Melva (Bud) Taylor, Melvin (Melody) McIntosh and Dale (Denise) McIntosh. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, Dean (Bekah) Gorsuch, Michelle (Josh) Lipker, Erin Gorsuch (Dustin Wyckoff), Levi (Danny) Leonard-Gorsuch, Bailey (Topher) Throckmorton, Lauren (Kort) Gartrell, Shaley (Alex) Wamboldt, and Taylor Petersen. Janet was blessed with 12 great-grandchildren as well.
She is also survived by honorary granddaughters, Stephanie and Tiffaney Connelly and honorary daughter and son, Deb Doyle and Shen Shigatomi (a foreign exchange student that lived with the family in 1975) and many others.
Memorials can be sent to the Sandhills Rodeo Bible Camp or a memorial of your choice.
Memorial services were Aug. 9 at the Alliance Eagles Club. Interment was in the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.
Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.