Elma Ruby (Goertzen) Goertz

Elma R. Goertz

1923 - 2021

Elma R. Goertz, 97, of Goessel, Kansas, passed away Sunday, February 7, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Moundridge. She was born on November 13, 1923 in Goessel, the daughter of Arnold and Eva (Janzen) Goertzen.

After graduating high school, Elma obtained her teaching certificate at Bethel College. She went on to teach at Good Hope School in Marion County from 1943-45, and at Brainerd School in Butler County from 1945-1947.

Elma was united in marriage to Ernest A. Goertz on August 11, 1947. They had eight children together and Elma became a brilliant homemaker. She continued her education by taking the initiative to keep learning in all areas of her life including gardening, landscaping, all domestic arenas, religion and spirituality, physical and mental health, music, and Mennonite history.

She was active in various church and community organizations often serving in leadership roles, was a school bus driver for a number of years, and later became a Certified Nurse's Aide, working part-time at Bethesda Home in Goessel for many years.

Elma loved traveling and Ernest went along. They enjoyed visiting their children in various parts of the country and traveling to Mennonite communities and other areas of interest (national and international). Above all, family and church were important to Elma. She became a member of Tabor Mennonite Church upon her baptism on June 1, 1941.

Elma is survived by her daughters Emily Goertz of Seattle, Washington, Dorothy Goertz of Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage near Rutledge, Missouri, Esther (Stan) Epp of Newton, Naomi Goertz (ChrisIngram) of Cincinnati, Ohio, and son, Joel Goertz of Goessel; eleven grandchildren, Jeremiah Goertz, Marvin (Eve) Goertz, Isaiah (Allison) Goertz, Spencer Goertz-Giffen (Braden Young), Winston Goertz-Giffen (Hannah Nelly), Abigail (David) Ewert, Joanna Epp (Kyle Miller), Elizabeth Epp (Zac Delatte), Susannah Epp, Kate Ingram and Alex Ingram; ten great-grandchildren; sister, Dora Unruh of rural Peabody; daughter-in-law, Alice Goertz of Ridgway, Colorado; son-in-law, Les Reiselt of Florida; and sister-in-law, Lois Goertzen of North Newton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Goertz; parents; three children, Henry Goertz, Ruth Goertz-Reiselt, and Mary Goertz; son-in-law Chuck Bernstein; three siblings and a great-granddaughter.

Private burial was held at Tabor Mennonite Church Cemetery, rural Goessel. Memorial services will be announced and held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Bethel College, or Bethesda Home in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 96, Goessel, KS 67053.