Neal Gorham

Neal Ralph Gorham was born January 26, 1944, to Ralph Harold and Elizabeth Jane "Betty" (Oldham) Gorham in Onawa, Iowa. He was raised on the family farm near Soldier and graduated from Soldier High School. Neal married LaQueta Knoff Olson at Bethesda Lutheran Church on October 18, 1980. Neal and his brother, David, owned and operated Gorham Brother's Trucking Company while farming with their dad. As a volunteer in the army, Sergeant Neal Gorham worked on construction equipment for three years in Germany. After his honorable discharge he farmed the Gorham and Olson land, with help from LaQueta's boys. During that time, Neal served for over 25 years as a Jordan Township Trustee following in the footsteps of his parents.

Neal was a member of the Bethesda Lutheran Church in Moorhead. He was active in the Monona County Cattlemen's Association and was elected Monona County Supervisor (1996-2000) as an independent candidate. He also served on numerous boards for Burgess Hospital, REC and the Soldier Valley Telephone for the financial well-being of Monona County. Neal and LaQueta together built the Soldier Speedy Stop, opened in 2002 and they operated the convenience store for about seven years.

Neal died on Thursday, April 16, 2015, at the Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton, Iowa at the age of 71 years, two months, and 21 days.

Neal was preceded in death by his parents; wife, LaQueta Gorham; brother, David Gorham; stepsons, Randy and Craig Olson; and step grandson, Aaron Olson. He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth "Liz" Gorham of Brookings, SD, sister-in-law, Connie Gorham of Soldier, IA; nephew Daniel (Jayne) Gorham and their children Justin and Mariah all of Carroll, IA; niece, Dawn Gorham of Sioux City, IA; step daughters-in-law, Sandy and Linda; four step grandchildren; four step great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.