Murray B. Gotsdiner

in memoriam

Murray B. Gotsdiner, of Clive, Iowa, was born in Des Moines, Iowa on January 2, 1953 to Shirlee Ann and Harold B. Gotsdiner. He passed away on March 22, 2025 at 2:15 a.m.

Murray grew up in his family’s business, Heaven to 7, working at the store throughout his childhood and early teens. He had all the usual jobs as a teenager and started a stereo and TV repair business that became such a success that it overran his family’s basement and kept his dad from getting into his own driveway.

In July of 1971, he met the love of his life, Debora Zadina, a beauty queen from Corvalis, Oregon. They were married seven months later. From this marriage came three wonderful children: Alex, Erik, and Elizabeth.

Murray graduated in 1971 from Valley High School in West Des Moines. He received both his undergraduate and law degree from Drake University. Besides working full time to support his family all the way through college and law school, he managed a number of times to make the Dean’s List both as an undergraduate and in law school.

Following law school, Murray started his own practice and eventually formed a law firm which became McEnroe, Gotsdiner, Steinbach, Rothman, & Kendall P.C., a general practice firm in West Des Moines. He became licensed in all state courts both in Iowa and Texas and was admitted to various federal courts; including the United States Supreme Court. In 1983

He and his partners built a successful law practice during which time he had the privilege and honor of representing many large companies, banks, and businesses of all types in various legal matters in many different states. Over the years, he never stopped helping the less fortunate by representing hundreds of indigent people in mental health and substance abuse commitment hearings. He also served as a volunteer arbitrator for many years for the Des Moines Better Business Bureau.

Murray is survived by his wife, Debora Gotsdiner, sons, Alexander Gotsdiner and Erik Gotsdiner, daughter Elizabeth (Jacob) Carrier, brother Evan (Christy) Gotsdiner, sister Marcia Salem (Tony Belluchi), grandchildren Charlotte and Otto Carrier. He has been reunited with his best buddy, Sabo the dog. He will be remembered personally and professionally by all of those that worked with him at McEnroe, Gotsdiner, Steinbach, Rothman & Kendell PC.