Herman Goertzen
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Herman W. Goertzen was born to Peter K. and Mary Goertzen on December 21, 1926. He grew up on the family farm and spent his formative years helping his father farm. Herman attended District 33 through the eighth grade and then started attending high school in town. In those days they only had one car per family so he rode his horse to school. As the weather became colder, it became more difficult to attend school. He then decided to discontinue attending high school and help his father on the farm full time.
Herman lived at home until he and Erma Buller were united in marriage in 1950. The newlyweds then moved into a small farmstead northwest of Henderson. While living there, four sons were born. The house became very crowded so Herman's parents moved into a newly built house in Henderson and Herman's family moved onto the family farm in 1963.
Herman and Erma left the farm and moved into a house in Henderson in 2000. A difficult time in life came when their oldest son, Royce, died from complications of cystic fibrosis the following year.
In 2021, an apartment at Rosewood Court in Henderson became available so they started a new chapter of their lives. Shortly after moving, Herman's health deteriorated and hospital stays changed his plans.
Music was an important part of his Christian work. Upon confession of faith, he was baptized in the Blue River as a teenager. His father owned a guitar and Herman learned to play it accompanied by his harmonica. He played in the Goertzen Band and sang baritone in the men's chorus. During his retirement years he and Erma spent a number of winters in south Texas. He enjoyed playing gospel music with many musicians while wintering in Texas. The hymns of faith were very important to him. Even while in the Henderson Hospital he played his harmonica while the hospice chaplain played guitar.
He lived a life loving his family. He would not show emotion but loved from his heart. He greatly enjoyed seeing his great-grandson in Oregon remotely on Face time.
Herman worked at the MCC Meat Canner whenever he could. He was also a one-time local director of the Mennonite Disaster Service, a life-long farmer and loved the harvest season. He will be spending his harvest seasons in heaven now.
Herman is survived by his wife of 71 years, Erma; sons, Dale (Julie) Goertzen of Bradshaw, NE; Mark (Jolene) Goertzen of Lincoln, NE; and Greg (Cheryl) Goertzen of Parkville, MO. Grandchildren include Annie (Bobby) Curttright of Gresham, OR; Conner Goertzen of Scappoose, OR; Angela (Bryan) Babb of Olathe, KS; Mallory Goertzen of Lincoln, NE; Abigail Goertzen of Parkville, MO; and Max Goertzen of Parkville, MO. Preceding him in death are son, Royce Goertzen, parents, Peter K and Mary Goertzen, and brother, Levi Goertzen. He will be dearly missed as a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Graveside services are scheduled for 9:45 am, Saturday, November 27, 2021 at Living Hope Cemetery, northwest of Henderson. Memorial Services will follow at 10:30 am at the Living Hope Fellowship Hall with the Reverend Luke Haidle officiating. Visitation will be held from 1-9 pm on Friday at the mortuary in Henderson. The family will greet friends that evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Memorials may be directed to Samaritan Purse for Drill a Village Well or Give a Filter to a Family.
Condolences may be emailed to Metz Mortuary Messages will be given to the family.
Herman lived at home until he and Erma Buller were united in marriage in 1950. The newlyweds then moved into a small farmstead northwest of Henderson. While living there, four sons were born. The house became very crowded so Herman's parents moved into a newly built house in Henderson and Herman's family moved onto the family farm in 1963.
Herman and Erma left the farm and moved into a house in Henderson in 2000. A difficult time in life came when their oldest son, Royce, died from complications of cystic fibrosis the following year.
In 2021, an apartment at Rosewood Court in Henderson became available so they started a new chapter of their lives. Shortly after moving, Herman's health deteriorated and hospital stays changed his plans.
Music was an important part of his Christian work. Upon confession of faith, he was baptized in the Blue River as a teenager. His father owned a guitar and Herman learned to play it accompanied by his harmonica. He played in the Goertzen Band and sang baritone in the men's chorus. During his retirement years he and Erma spent a number of winters in south Texas. He enjoyed playing gospel music with many musicians while wintering in Texas. The hymns of faith were very important to him. Even while in the Henderson Hospital he played his harmonica while the hospice chaplain played guitar.
He lived a life loving his family. He would not show emotion but loved from his heart. He greatly enjoyed seeing his great-grandson in Oregon remotely on Face time.
Herman worked at the MCC Meat Canner whenever he could. He was also a one-time local director of the Mennonite Disaster Service, a life-long farmer and loved the harvest season. He will be spending his harvest seasons in heaven now.
Herman is survived by his wife of 71 years, Erma; sons, Dale (Julie) Goertzen of Bradshaw, NE; Mark (Jolene) Goertzen of Lincoln, NE; and Greg (Cheryl) Goertzen of Parkville, MO. Grandchildren include Annie (Bobby) Curttright of Gresham, OR; Conner Goertzen of Scappoose, OR; Angela (Bryan) Babb of Olathe, KS; Mallory Goertzen of Lincoln, NE; Abigail Goertzen of Parkville, MO; and Max Goertzen of Parkville, MO. Preceding him in death are son, Royce Goertzen, parents, Peter K and Mary Goertzen, and brother, Levi Goertzen. He will be dearly missed as a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Graveside services are scheduled for 9:45 am, Saturday, November 27, 2021 at Living Hope Cemetery, northwest of Henderson. Memorial Services will follow at 10:30 am at the Living Hope Fellowship Hall with the Reverend Luke Haidle officiating. Visitation will be held from 1-9 pm on Friday at the mortuary in Henderson. The family will greet friends that evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Memorials may be directed to Samaritan Purse for Drill a Village Well or Give a Filter to a Family.
Condolences may be emailed to Metz Mortuary Messages will be given to the family.