Obituary of Henry L. Goettertz

Henry L. Goettertz, age 85 of rural Freeman, SD passed away Monday, October 26, 2015 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, October 31, 2015 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Idylwilde, rural Freeman, SD with Rev. Randy Phillips officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with Military graveside rites by the Rames-Bender American Legion Post #152 Honor Guard and South Dakota Army National Guard Honor Guard. Visitations will begin at 6:00 PM, Friday, October 30, 2015 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Idylwilde, with a Wake service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, is assisting with the arrangements. Pallbearers will be Darren Walz, Loren Roth, Dennis Schrag, Mike Petersen, Danny Massey, Allen Neuharth, Glen Neuharth and Eric Neuharth. Henry Louis was born November 28, 1929 to Henry and Martha (Dangel) Goettertz in rural Marion. He moved to his farm at the age of five and remained there his entire life. Henry graduated from Freeman High School and attended college at SDSU in Brookings. In 1952, Henry was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He married Karen Weber on November 12, 1966 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Menominee, NE. Henry spent his life farming and had dairy and beef cattle, hogs and sheep. He was a lifelong member of St. Boniface Catholic Church (Idlywilde) where he served on parish council, was a lector and an usher. Henry was an officer in the Knights of Columbus and served on the Turner County Weed Board. His hobbies included making things with wood, such as shelves and clocks and collecting John Deere model tractors. Henry had a love for animals; many furry friends were lucky to be a part of his life. Henry had his priorities . . . faith, family and farming. His memory will be cherished by his wife, Karen of Freeman, SD; daughter, Carla (Lynn) Goetsch of Hartford, SD; son, Loren (Sherry) Goettertz of Freeman, SD and daughter, Joyce (Dale) Becker of St. Helena, NE. He will be remembered with much love by his grandchildren: Lauren and Aurora Goetsch, Morgan Buechler and Jordan Goettertz. Henry was preceded in death by his parents.