Obituary

Edna Marie Goossen, 91, died Monday, September 19, 2011 at Kidron Bethel Healthcare in North Newton. She was born September 24, 1919 at Plymouth, Nebraska to Bernard M. and Margaret (Jantzen) Ensz. She was a retired teacher, a loving mother, grandmother and great grandcmother and a friend and mentor to many.

She was educated in Beatrice, Nebraska school and began her teaching career in a one-room school in rural Nebraska during the Great Depression; eventually she completed her bachelor's degree in education. On August 19, 1943, she married Henry W. Goossen, a Mennonite ministerial student. Over the course of their 66 years of marriage, Henry served churches throughout Kansas and Edna taught in public schools. From 1966 to 1968, they served with Mennonite Central Committee in South Korea. At the time of their retirement, they settled in North Newton and Joined the Bethel College Mennonite Church.

She is survived by her daughters, Sharon and Bob Bartel of McPherson and Lavonne and Ron Sawatzky of North Newton; a son, Duane and Rachel Waltner Goossen, Topeka; a sister, Helen Entz, North Newton; 6 grandchildren; 6 great-grand children.

Her husband, parents, brother, Bob Ensz and sister Amy Reigier all preceded her in death.

A family committal service was Friday, September 23 at Halstead Cemetery. A memorial service was Friday, September 23 at Bethal College Menonite Church in North Newton with pastors Heidi Regier Kreider and Ruth Harder officiating.