Rebecca (Gouge) Kirschbaum

Rebeccah Jane (Gouge) Kirschbaum, of Redmond, Oregon, passed peacefully and surrounded by family on January 22, 2024, after a long, courageous battle. She was 72 years old. 

Rebeccah (Becky) was born in Forest City, Iowa on May 7th, 1951, to Merle and Marian (Haag) Gouge. Rebeccah was the third of nine children. As the eldest daughter, she spent much of her youth caring for her siblings. She married Jerry Dale Linahon in May of 1969, with whom she had four children.  Rebeccah’s adventurous spirit led her to live in a variety of states from Iowa to Montana and finally Oregon. Although she was born and raised in the heart of the Midwest, Rebeccah had a love of the mountains and enjoyed spending time exploring them with her family.

She was a gifted seamstress and enjoyed making clothing and quilts for her children and grandchildren.  Her creative spirit continued to lead her though a variety of occupations as she worked as a homemaker, CNA, autobody painter, before retiring as a certified welder.  Always an artist, Rebeccah had a talent for creating quilts, designing, and creating porcelain dolls and refinishing antique furniture. One of Rebeccah’s greatest joys was caring for her “little guys”, her dogs Alvin and Queen, whom she loved fiercely. 

Rebeccah’s greatest passions not only included sewing, but she also had a love of gardening, and enjoyed sharing advice and encouragement with her daughters as they were inspired to grow gardens of their own.  Becky especially loved seeing photos and discussing the latest blooms every spring with her youngest daughter. 

She will be remembered for her gentle spirit, love of coffee, the latest gossip, sharing recipes, and romance novels.  She is survived by her four children, daughter Kristal (Chris) Cozine, grandson Connor, great-grandson, Benjamin, and grandson Alex (Allison) of Prineville, OR; daughter Nicole (Albert) Herrera, grandson Chance and granddaughter Ealyia of Wichita, KS; daughter Michelle (Jacob) Maciel of Nampa, ID, grandson Kindric of Bend, OR; son Matthew Linahon of Prineville, OR, grandson Kody (Mikayla) Plymesser, great-granddaughters Elena and Sawyer of Waterloo, IA and granddaughter Tara Lancaster of Pocahontas, IA. Becky is also survived by seven of her siblings, numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, John, a few husbands, and numerous close friends. Becky requested her Celebration of Life be postponed until late spring where her family will gather in her favorite mountain location to spread her ashes and share memories of her.