Mary Jo Gorsuch


Mary Jo Gorsuch (Twitchell), 76, of Crystal, died January 9, 2019. Mary Jo was the daughter of Ford and Enid (Geisenhaver) Twitchell, born November 11, 1942 in Charlotte. 

She is survived by her brother, A.G. Twitchell; her children, Kurt (Lana) Hauffe and Dawn (Steffes) Hauffe and their father, Pete Hauffe; step-daughters Julie Anderson, Joy Gorsuch, and Jennifer Lison; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.  

She was predeceased by her husband of 35 years, Lincoln Gorsuch on December 15, 2018.

Mary Jo graduated from Potterville High School, Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree, and San Diego State University with a master’s degree. Her work history included the following schools: Grand Ledge, Harper Woods, Warren, Centerline, Saginaw and Carrollton Adult Ed, Rincon Indian Reservation in Valley Center, Calif. She returned to Michigan and taught at Potterville High School until her retirement in 1998. From 1986 to 2011, Mary Jo and Lincoln lived in an old log cabin on Thornapple Lake where many happy family gatherings took place. Following retirement, she and Lincoln traveled to California and Texas, finally settling in Zephyrhills, Fla., where they spent 15 years.

During the years of 1985-1998 Mary Jo became active in community theater, performing with The ReVue in Vermontville, and the Thornapple Players in Hastings. She fell in love with the theater and expressed that these were some of the happiest times of her life. One of her favorite quotes was, “All the world is a stage.” Her other love was writing and during those years, she often wrote articles for local newspapers. She co-authored two books: Carrollton Centennial 1976 and Rincon Cook Book 1980. For her grandchildren, she compiled a collection of her childhood memories, entitled Notes To My Grandchildren.

Friends are encouraged to support Mary Jo’s family at visitation and memorial services. Memorial services are Thursday, January 17, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Margaret Hollenbeck officiating.  Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service. 

If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care. 

Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Mary Jo on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.