Jeanne Privat Gossen

March 15, 1937 - October 28, 2021

Rayne, LA - Funeral services will be held at 1 PM Saturday, October 30, 2021 at a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph Catholic Church for Elizabeth Jeanne Anne Privat Gossen, 84, who died Thursday, October 29th peacefully at her home surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Entombment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery No. 2 Mausoleum. Jeanne was born on March 15th 1937 to Aline Marguerite (neé Weil) and Fernand Joseph Privat, Sr. of Rayne, Louisiana as the fourth of nine children. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School where she met the love of her life and future husband Robert Anthony Gossen, Sr,. After marrying in 1956, she and Robert spent a year living in San Antonio, Texas while he finished his service commitment to the United States Army and she gave birth to their eldest child Janice Carol. Upon returning to their hometown, they began their growing family with an openness to life and from the fruit of their love grew a large and loving family. Mrs. Gossen’s life revolved around her family, faith and church. She was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church spending many years as a Eucharistic Minister as well as a member of the Good Samaritans committee. She and Robert were also great supporters of Catholic education with all nine of their children graduating from Rayne Catholic Elementary and Notre Dame High School. In her later years, she cherished her grandchildren and other Rayne Catholic students walking to her home for snacks and after school care. Her other great love was Christmas and all things Santa Clause. All children and children at heart looked forward to the holiday season and a trip to Grandma Jeanne’s, for once you spent an afternoon there, she was your Grandma too. A tour of the thousands of Santas, St. Nicks and other representations from around the world, plus a cup of hot chocolate and a hug was a rite of passage for all little ones attending Rayne Catholic. She was also a marvelously talented cook, the influences of her Parisian French born grandparents often showing in her gourmet meals. Not everything was escargot and brie en croute, as she could also bring a crowd with her brisket and crawfish bisque. Notre Dame’s Infamous Ten Little Indians will forever mourn the loss of her world famous macaroni casserole. She adored being spoiled with afternoon coffee served on china with silver by her dear friend Allen Clanton and treated to European travel with her sisters by her devoted godchild Yvonne Bernard. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her sisters Josette Delahousaye Fernand Privat and Johnny Privat of Lafayette as well as Yvonne Nickel of Crowley and George Privat of Baton Rouge; her nine children, 42 grandchildren, 62 great grandchildren, many godchildren, nieces, nephews as well as the many friends of her children who have always considered her a second mother. Her children include : • Josette Gossen and her husband Lt. Col. Christopher Heim, USAF of Pensacola, Florida and their children Andrew Abshire of New York, NY and Aubrey Abshire, Hunter Heim and Nathan Heim of Pensacola Florida; • Sara Doga and her husband Donnie of Rayne, and their children Randy Meche II and his wife Jamie of Mire, Dylan Meche, Emily and William Rice, Katie and Paul Hebert, and Amanda and Scott Doga all of Rayne. • Robert Gossen, Jr and his wife Tiffany of Rayne, and their children Mary Margaret Gossen of Austin, Texas, Michael Gossen of Rayne, Jack Gossen of New Orleans, Kaitlyn Thibodeaux, and Blaire Thibodeaux of Rayne, and Lexi Thibodeaux of Lake Charles. • Laurie Gossen and her husband Gene of Rayne, and her daughters Kathryn Murrell and her husband Brandon of Rayne, and Andrea Harmon and her husband Zachary of Branch • Susan Bearden and her husband Ray of Pasadena, Texas and their children Jeanne Serrette and her husband David of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, Thomas Meche and his wife Samantha of Westminster Colorado, Jessica Meche of Pasadena, Texas, Becca Trejo and her husband Jorge of Dallas Texas, Candace Bearden and Beau Bearden of Pasadena, Texas. • Julie Savoie and her husband Paul of Rayne and their children Emily Duipuis and her husband Brandon of Church Point, Jacob Prejean and his wife Erin of Scott. and their son Jacques of Rayne • Jude Gossen and his wife Vickie of Scott, Louisiana and their children Heather Gossen, Tobey Gossen and his wife Macie, and Tyra Gossen all of Lafayette as well as their daughter Melissa of Nashville, Tennessee. • Marie Vondenstein and her husband Larry of Rayne and their children Lori Menard and her husband Chris of Lafayette, Analie Casanova and her husband JT of Rayne, Paul Vondenstein and his wife Morgan of Lafayette, Timothy Vondenstein and his wife Kristen of Spring, Texas and Tyler Vondenstein and his wife Kristen of Youngsville, Louisiana. • Jan Ware and her husband Edward of Rayne and their children Adam Ware of Covington, Ellen Simon and her husband Wesley of Rayne, Deacon Nicholas Ware of the Diocese of Lafayette, and Joseph Ware of Rayne. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years Robert Gossen, as well as her sister Aline Marguerite Privat Thibodaux, brothers Pierre Privat, Jacques Privat and grandchildren Andrew Robert Meche, Dylan Gary and Spencer Gossen. Visitation will be at Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne, Louisiana from 9AM to 12:30PM with a rosary recited at 10:30AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to any of the following charities Rayne Catholic Elementary, Notre Dame High School, Sisters of Mount Carmel in Lacombe, Wisdom Chapel at ULL or the Wounded Warrior Project. The family would like to thank Heart of Hospice as well as Dr. Hollis O’Neal and his staff at Pulmonary and Critical Care Specialists of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, LA, (337)334-3141.