Obituary for Marcel A. Gassen III
Mr. Marcel Albert Gassen III, age 67 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Monday, April 6, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Bluffs surrounded by his family.
Marcel was born on October 29, 1952 in New Orleans, La., the son of Marcel, Jr. and Lillie Mae (Gourgues) Gassen. Marcel married Shirley Gilbert in New Orleans and to this marriage his two children were born. He was married on December 18, 1996 in Versailles, Mo. to Mary Prody, who survives at home.
Marcel was a 1970 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School and attended Louisiana State University of New Orleans. He considered Jefferson City home after moving here in 1977 but always loved the culture of New Orleans.
He was employed with Central Dairy for over 30 years as a driver until he retired in 2008. Marcel was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus in Taos.
Marcel had the ability to fix anything and he loved spending time with family or neighbors working on projects. He had a love for the outdoors, whether he was fishing for crappie at the Lake of the Ozarks or fishing for red fish and speckled trout in the Gulf of Mexico. Marcel enjoyed yearly trips to New Orleans to visit family and dine on traditional southern style food. He was also an avid football fan, especially rooting for the New Orleans Saints.
Marcel will be remembered for his big heart, honest sense of humor and approachable demeanor. The old saying “he never met a stranger” was absolutely true because he greeted all with a smile and a joke to lighten their day.
Survivors include: his loving wife of 23 years, Mary Gassen of Jefferson City, Mo.; one son, Matthew Gassen (wife Megan) of Jefferson City, Mo.; one daughter, Jennifer Woodward (husband Scott) of New Bloomfield, Mo.; three step-children, Jennifer Borkowski (husband Brian) of Jerseyville, Il., Angela Gillespie of Independence, Mo. and Jessica Butts of Jefferson City, Mo.; one sister, Patricia Nieto (husband Ken) of Covington, La.; one brother, Bryan Gassen of Covington, La.; two nieces, Elizabeth Ardoin (husband Marc) and Emily Lubano (husband Chad); 13 grandchildren, Lauren, Lydia and Leah Gassen, Carly and Rhett Woodward, Christian Prody, Makayla and Khloe Turner, Aisa, Nathan and Mason Gillespie, Casey and Noah Borkowski.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private prayer service will be held in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Jeremy Secrist officiating. A webcast of his prayer service will begin at 12:00 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2020 for friends to view by going to the "photos and videos" tab of this page and scrolling down to the webcasting link. . Friends may mail sympathy cards or leave condolences online that will be given to his family.
A memorial Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter Catholic Church will be announced after the gathering restrictions have been removed from the pandemic.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Christian Prody’s Educational Fund, P.O. Box 95, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison Street, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101.
Marcel was born on October 29, 1952 in New Orleans, La., the son of Marcel, Jr. and Lillie Mae (Gourgues) Gassen. Marcel married Shirley Gilbert in New Orleans and to this marriage his two children were born. He was married on December 18, 1996 in Versailles, Mo. to Mary Prody, who survives at home.
Marcel was a 1970 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School and attended Louisiana State University of New Orleans. He considered Jefferson City home after moving here in 1977 but always loved the culture of New Orleans.
He was employed with Central Dairy for over 30 years as a driver until he retired in 2008. Marcel was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus in Taos.
Marcel had the ability to fix anything and he loved spending time with family or neighbors working on projects. He had a love for the outdoors, whether he was fishing for crappie at the Lake of the Ozarks or fishing for red fish and speckled trout in the Gulf of Mexico. Marcel enjoyed yearly trips to New Orleans to visit family and dine on traditional southern style food. He was also an avid football fan, especially rooting for the New Orleans Saints.
Marcel will be remembered for his big heart, honest sense of humor and approachable demeanor. The old saying “he never met a stranger” was absolutely true because he greeted all with a smile and a joke to lighten their day.
Survivors include: his loving wife of 23 years, Mary Gassen of Jefferson City, Mo.; one son, Matthew Gassen (wife Megan) of Jefferson City, Mo.; one daughter, Jennifer Woodward (husband Scott) of New Bloomfield, Mo.; three step-children, Jennifer Borkowski (husband Brian) of Jerseyville, Il., Angela Gillespie of Independence, Mo. and Jessica Butts of Jefferson City, Mo.; one sister, Patricia Nieto (husband Ken) of Covington, La.; one brother, Bryan Gassen of Covington, La.; two nieces, Elizabeth Ardoin (husband Marc) and Emily Lubano (husband Chad); 13 grandchildren, Lauren, Lydia and Leah Gassen, Carly and Rhett Woodward, Christian Prody, Makayla and Khloe Turner, Aisa, Nathan and Mason Gillespie, Casey and Noah Borkowski.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private prayer service will be held in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Jeremy Secrist officiating. A webcast of his prayer service will begin at 12:00 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2020 for friends to view by going to the "photos and videos" tab of this page and scrolling down to the webcasting link. . Friends may mail sympathy cards or leave condolences online that will be given to his family.
A memorial Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter Catholic Church will be announced after the gathering restrictions have been removed from the pandemic.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Christian Prody’s Educational Fund, P.O. Box 95, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison Street, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101.