Mass of the Christian Burial for Vicky Goss, 53, Lambert, is 10 a.m., Friday, March 12, 2010, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Sidney with Father Greg Staudinger and Father Ned Shinnick presiding. Wake services will be Thursday, March 11, 6 p.m., at the Fulkerson Memorial Chapel, Sidney.

Music is provided by Becky Carda and Gary Rauschendorfer. Casketbearers are Kris Goss, Dan Goss, Tyler Goss, TJ Goss, Marcus Goss, Casey Klasna and Curtis Anderson. Honorary casketbearers are Maryann Klasna and Vicky’s many special friends. Ushers are Ed Klasna and Brian McGinnis. Cremation will follow the services. Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney is helping the family with arrangements. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com.

Vicky Lynn Goss was born on Aug. 13, 1956, to Raymond and Viola (Gwin) Kite in San Diego, Calif. She was the second oldest of four children. After her father left the home, she worked hard to help her mom support and care for her siblings. Vicky was very close to her grandmother, whom she called Ooma. Her grandmother inspired her love of cooking, homemaking and strength in her Catholic faith. Vicky’s grandparents liked to take her camping and took her to Montana when she was young. She loved it so much that she attended nursing school in Havre after graduating from high school in San Diego. It was there she met Ervin Goss, her best friend and love of her life. They were married the following year on June 12, 1976, in San Diego. They lived one year in Havre before moving back to the Goss farm north of Richey. Their first child, Trisha, was born on Oct. 24, 1979. They moved to their house near Lambert in 1984, where Vicky was excited to make it their home. On Dec. 9, 1986, Tami joined their family. In the following years, Vicky was happy to raise her girls, help Ervin on the farm, and to work on the many details that made their home life happy.

The start of Vicky’s happy life as a grandmother began with the birth of Grace Klempel in February 2006. Her “Little Bug” and “Little Bean.” She was proud to be a grandmother. She enjoyed playing with Grace and looked forward to many more grandchildren.

Vicky often dreamed of having a place to vacation in the mountains. For their 30th anniversary, Ervin and Vicky bought a little place in Monarch. The whole family has enjoyed many days together playing in Belt Creek and skiing at Showdown. Following Vicky’s first battle with cancer, she wished to thank Ervin for being by her side and fulfilled his dream of owning a pontoon boat on their 32nd anniversary. The family shares a lot of fun memories on the water. Vicky was proud of her captain after they had both been through so much together.

Vicky was first diagnosed with lung cancer in February of 2008. Though never a smoker, she often fought her weak lungs and many cases of pneumonia until her lungs finally fell victim. She underwent surgery to remove two lobes of her right lung in April of 2008. She began treatment of radiation and chemo through that year. Her treatment ended in the fall, and her cancer was in control long enough for her to plan a special trip for her whole family to California for Christmas. It meant a lot to take everyone to see her family in California to have those memories.

As summer came, the family found themselves making the most of their pontoon, camping trips and Vicky’s better health. In late August 2009, Vicky’s health began to fail. She was diagnosed with returning cancer that had spread to many parts of her body, including her brain. Though she fought again with everything she could, she could never regain her strength or get her body to respond to more treatments. But even as her abilities became diminished, she was able to stay in the comfort of her home with the care of Ervin. He remained by her side, even as she needed to be in the hospital and later the Sidney Health Center Extended Care facility for the last two weeks.

Vicky died on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Sidney Health Center Extended Care facility surrounded by her family.

Vicky is survived by: her husband, Ervin Goss, Lambert; daughters, Trisha (Jeremy) Klempel, Sidney, and Tami Goss (Devin Johnson), Minot, N.D.; mother, Viola Kite, San Diego, Calif.; brothers, Scott Kite and John Kite, and sister, Barbara Czarnecki, all of Southern California; and one grandchild, Grace.

Vicky was preceded in death by her grandmother, Barbara Ungar; father, Ray Kite; and father and mother-in-law, Don and Hanna Goss.