Willa Dean Gausnell

Age 89, of Roseburg, Oregon, took her first step into eternity with her precious Lord on Tuesday, April 8, 2014. Willa was born on April 3, 1925 in Vian, Oklahoma, to her parents, Robert L and Meda Watts. She married Rueben Jr. "Bill" Gausnell on December 15, 1945, in Yuba City, CA. Bill preceded her in death, on August 13, 1999. She had one sister, Bobby, one half sister, Angie, two step brothers and numerous loving in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. Three brothers, Bud, Sonny and Carl have preceded her in death. Willa is survived by five children: Diane (Dan) Simon, and her sons, Tim, Jeff, Andy, and Mike; Grant (Mary) Gausnell, and his son, Adam; Chris (Mike) Gross, and their children, Kellyn and Len; Gail (Ron) Coleman, their children Joey and Shelli; Ron (Pam) Gausnell, their children, Amy and Christi; she also had 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

At age 10 Willa traveled from her birthplace in Oklahoma to California, then moved to Oregon as a young women and had resided in Roseburg. Along with being a wife and mother of five children she had several jobs which include; being the chauffeur for a Colonel during WWII, which she was especially excited about, she was a school bus driver, while her children were young, a cook at the VA, Grandview Nursing Home, Diamond Lake Lodge, and church camps. After their children were grown, Bill and Willa managed several apartment complexes. As a woman of faith she was a dedicated member of the Melrose Community Church. Her faith shone brightly through her actions and through the unconditional love she shared with all those she knew. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Raj, Bridgewood River Assisted Living and Callahan Memory Care staffs, for their exceptional and loving care. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2014, at 2 p.m. at Melrose Community Church, 3918 Melrose Rd, Roseburg Oregon. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Mercy Hospice.