Lynell M. Gorka

Lynell M. Gorka, age 86, of Forest Lake, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2022, while surrounded by her family. Lynell was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Selma Remus; husband, Donald Gorka; grandson, Daniel Gibbons; brothers, Dale and Donald; brother-in-law, Eugene Warren. She is survived by children, Cathy (Rich) Osman, Diane (Mark) Prudhomme, Patricia (Raymond) Gibbons, Thomas (Taunia) Gorka, and Joanne (Mark) Boyer; many grandchildren and great grandchildren along with her sister, Lavonne Warren and sister-in-law, Myrtyce Remus.

For Lynell family meant everything. She enjoyed spending as much time as possible with her children and grandchildren. She loved to enjoy all the seasons, especially during her long stay living on Forest Lake. Summer rides on the pontoon was her idea of a perfect summer day. Lynell loved to garden and take care of the yard. Canning vegetables were a Fall staple for Lynell. She had a great sense of humor, humor and didn’t flinch when one of her grandkids named her Big Sexy; she just laughed along with it; that nickname stuck with her throughout the remainder of her life. As she was raised as a farm girl, she learned the value of hard work, and passed this along to her kids and grandchildren; “Gorka work camps” were legendary. No job was complete until it was done right. 

Lynell will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved her.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 12, 2022, at The Church of Saint Peter, 1250 South Shore Drive, Forest Lake, Minnesota.  For those unable to attend, mass will be live streamed at https://youtu.be/CHW2lUSOIzI  The family will greet friends one hour prior to mass at the church.  Private interment will follow at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, if you wish to send a memorial, please send these to the American Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice.