On November 26th, 2023, Rebecca (Becky) Gassman was called to her Heavenly home. What a celebration there must have been! Her faith and love of God truly guided her through her years.

Becky was born June 13, 1956, in Salina, KS to Ralph Maurice and Glennace Bernadine (Mowry) Kirn. She was the 4th of 5 children. She grew up in Minneapolis, KS and graduated from Minneapolis High School where she was a cheerleader and talented musician. She went on to complete a bachelor's degree in social work from Marymount College of Kansas, which provided her with the opportunity to use her caring heart to help others.

On December 26, 1976, she married Dennis Ray Gassman. To this union were born 2 sons, Tanner John, and Trayer Lee. Becky had also previously given in adoption a daughter, Diane Ruth, with whom she would later be joyfully reunited. Dennis and Becky lived in Russell, KS for several years before returning to Minneapolis to raise their family.

Becky's professional life included co-championing the establishment of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) in the central Kansas area, serving on the Central Kansas Mental Health board, and teaching Highway Patrol Recruit classes on proper handling of domestic abuse issues. In 2008, Becky was awarded the Community Hero Award by Child Abuse Prevention Services of Salina. She was the driving force for the creation of Chris's Place, the only advocacy center in the state to specialize in interviewing children with disabilities. Among the several awards she received for her work with youth during her employment with SRS was the honor of Social Worker of the Year.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, she led a local depression support group. Her commitment to helping others with depression also led to her being a co-presenter in a local workshop entitled Depression - It Can Happen to You. Here she chronicled her personal struggle with depression after being diagnosed with a painful autoimmune disorder, which ultimately forced her to retire from her much-loved career.

After her family was raised, she discovered the second love of her life (to Dennis and her children) – creating and making jewelry. She ultimately established her own business - Vine Creek Jewelry, which brought her joy for many years. Becky was an accomplished pianist and vocalist which she shared with family and church members.  Additionally, she was a member of Chapter BI PEO, and was a faithful member of Words of Light Fellowship church.

She is survived by her husband Dennis; daughter Diane Houseman (Nathan) of Savannah , GA; sons, Tanner (Jessica) of Olathe, KS, and Trayer of Portland, OR; grandchildren, Kyle Houseman  of Chicago, IL, Parker, Breckyn, and Ellis Gassman of Olathe, KS; siblings, Larry Kirn (Josh) of Dallas, TX, Linda Hardy of Baton Rouge, LA, Cindy Huth (Jeff) of Beaver, PA, Julie Kirn (Bill) of Omaha, NE. Becky was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Glennace Kirn.

Visitation will be Friday, December 8, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., at Wilson Family Funeral Home- 405 Argyle Ave., Minneapolis, KS 67467. The funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, December 9 at Words of Light Fellowship in Delphos, KS.

The family kindly requests no flowers and asks that memorials be made to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and be left in care of the funeral home.