Kathleen Stocks Gosnell

Kathleen “Kathy” Stocks Gosnell

Kathy was born in Preston, Idaho to Ned and Kathryn Stocks. After moving a few times as a child the Stocks family ultimately settled in Rupert, Idaho where Ned taught music at Minico High School and Kathryn ran a music store.

Growing up Kathy sang and played piano with her father at numerous weddings and other events. She was a very talented singer and piano player. She attended Utah State University where she sang with a traveling a cappella group The Young Timers. Kathy loved singing with the Young Timers. She spent a summer in Sun Valley working during the day and singing in the evenings and she spoke of this summer often.

While attending Utah State she and Doug met and began dating. They married on March 21, 1970. Kathy graduated from Utah State University in 1971 with a degree in Social Work. Upon Doug’s graduation the couple settled in Rupert, Idaho where Doug taught school and Kathy worked in the music store with her mother. Their daughter Stacey was born in June of 1979. Eventually, they sold the music store and Kathy, for a time, stayed home with Stacey. Kathy and Doug loved taking Stacey camping and to 4-H and other horse events. Throughout their marriage Doug and Kathy would often travel to places where Doug could fish, and Kathy could find a nice place to read a book.

In 1986 Kathy was hired as a social worker at Minidoka Memorial Hospital working primarily in the nursing home facility. It was in this position that she truly thrived. Kathy was responsible for creating protocols and policies for the care and treatment of the residents in the facility. She took great pride in the care she provided to the residents there. She was a zealous advocate for the residents wants and needs. She loved the residents and her co-workers. She made many lifelong friends while working at Minidoka Memorial. One of her favorite parts of her job was writing social histories for the residents. She enjoyed learning about their lives and truly getting to know every one of them. She did not just advocate for the residents in the nursing home, she was a voice for all patients at the hospital who were in need of an advocate. Kathy was never afraid to stand up for what she thought was right. Her advocacy for those in need of a voice is something she passed on to Doug, Stacey, Wes and Faith. Her dedication to the patients resulted in her being named employee of the year on one occasion. Kathy retired from Minidoka Memorial in 2013 after 28 years of service as the Director of Social Work.

In July of 2013 Kathy and Doug’s granddaughter Faith was born. Faith brought great joy to Kathy. They loved spending time together playing Barbies and other games. Kathy loved reading stories to Faith and later Faith would practice her reading by reading to grandma. They would sit together and giggle for hours watching silly shows or just talking. Faith was one of the only people who Kathy allowed to touch her hair. The family loved traveling to Yellowstone and camping and looking for animals. Kathy especially enjoyed sharing those moments with Faith.

Kathy was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1986. Kathy passed on June 29, 2024, after a battle with kidney failure brought on by the disease. She is survived by her husband Doug, daughter Stacey DePew, son-in-law Wes DePew, who she loved like a son, and her granddaughter Faith.

The family would like to give special thanks to the entire staff at Autumn Haven Assisted Living in Rupert, Idaho. The care they provided for Kathy and the entire family will never be forgotten.

A celebration of life will be held on August 17, 2024, at 5:30PM at 1141 8th Street, Rupert, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made to one of the following:

Insulin For Life at iflusa.org. This organization provides diabetic supplies to those who cannot afford them