Richard Goertz
(1925 - 2019)
Obituary
Richard Raymond Goertz of Cook Station, Missouri, was born
on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 1925, in Walton, to Henry F. Goertz and Martha Schmidt
Goertz. He passed away at his home in Cook Station, Missouri, on June 5, 2019,
at the age of 94 years, 4 months and 22 days.
Richard married Lela Rose Hiebert on April 7, 1953, in
Goessel, and to this union five children were born. He enjoyed farming in
Kansas. For many years, Richard and Lela and their children attended and were
members of Garden Church, Hesston. They faithfully took their children to
church every time the doors were open and wanted them to hear the sound
teaching of the Word as they grew up.
Richard was also a member of the Gideons, but after a while,
felt that there was more he could be doing. The Lord brought the needs overseas
to his and Lela's attention. Garden Church, the body of believers that was
their home, sent them to the Philippines and stood with them in the work
through prayer and finances. They spent 12 years in the Philippines as support
missionaries with Ethnos 360 (formerly New Tribes Mission).
When Richard retired, he couldn't resist planting a garden
every year. The last 12 years of his life were spent with his son-in-law and
daughter, Jay and Rose Penner.
Richard's greatest joy was to hear that family members were
walking in the truth of God's Word. He prayed continually for all of them. They
assured him that as long as God gave him life on earth, they were so glad he
was praying for them. He gave of his funds to spread the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. When he and Lela moved to Whispering Winds Bible Camp, Cook Station,
Missouri, he continued to be very interested in how many children trusted
Christ during the weeks of camp. He was faithful to pray for everyone involved.
Now, Richard is rejoicing with his Savior. He is whole and strong - "to be
absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" (II Cor. 5:8).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Martha
Goertz; parents-in-law, Edmund and Agatha Hiebert and Susanna Hiebert; wife,
Lela Goertz; daughter, Rose Penner; brothers, Arthur (Sylvia) Goertz, Alvin
(Ethelyn) Goertz, and Ernest (Elma) Goertz; and sisters, Bertha (Herb)
Schroeder and Rachel (Abe) Ratzlaff.
He is survived by his daughters, Carol (Keith) Kane of Big
Sandy, Texas, Rachel (Peter) Hansen of Bellevue, Nebraska, and Linda (Paul)
Johnson of Branson, Missouri; son, Alan (Jody) Goertz of Underwood, Iowa;
son-in-law, Jay Penner of Cook Station, Missouri; brother-in-law, Johnny
(Emmalyn) Hiebert of Nebraska; half-sisters-in-law, Susan (Irvin) Voth of
Kansas and Mary (Jake) Richert of Kansas; 27 grandchildren; 14
great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation is 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday (June 15, 2019) with
funeral service to immediately follow at 11 a.m. at Hutson Funeral Home,
Steelville, Missouri, with Rev. Alex Busenitz officiating. Burial at Morrison
Cemetery, Cook Station, Missouri.
Arrangements under the care of Hutson Funeral Home,
Steelville, Missouri. www.hutsonfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be given to
Ethnos360 ministry in the Philippines or Whispering Winds Bible Camp.
