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.
