Wanda (Kurrle) Goetz

Wanda B. (Kurrle) Goetz

August 12, 1929 – October 10, 2024

Wanda Goetz was born in Burlington, Iowa.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Wanda grew up in Dallas City, Illinois. The family home was across the street from the Mississippi River and the family enjoyed many sunset views over the river. She was active in sports while growing up, playing basketball, field hockey and softball. Wanda played clarinet and was a talented pianist, playing for church services and local functions. She had a lovely singing voice and sang in the church choir, often singing duets with her mother. Her first car was a Ford Model A. She enjoyed sewing and made, altered and mended clothes for friends and family. Her family enjoyed her wonderful cooking and homemade meals.

She attended Gem City Business College, and her first employer was Shaeffer Pen in Fort Madison, Iowa. She was skilled at typing, shorthand, editing and bookkeeping and did the family taxes for many years.

Wanda then attended Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, graduating with a bachelor’s degree. She married Richard Goetz on June 7, 1953. Wanda and Dick moved to Shenandoah, Iowa when Dick was transferred there by Sears. Before Mike was born, she was an executive secretary at Tidy House. Mike and Nancy were born in Shenandoah.

Another Sears transfer brought the family to Omaha in 1962, and Tom was born shortly after arrival in Omaha. Wanda was a substitute teacher for Omaha Public Schools for 27 years. Wanda and Dick were long-time members of Mary Our Queen parish. She was active in P.E.O. and the Catholic Daughters. She attended her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and was an avid sports fan.

Wanda and Dick celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in 2008 and Dick passed away shortly after. In 2008 Wanda moved to Sunridge Village, an active senior living facility, where she made many new friends and was very socially active, playing bridge, pinocle, canasta and any other card game a resident might introduce. She played bingo and enjoyed puzzles and crossword puzzles. For the last five years she resided at Heritage Pointe where she continued to be very active.

Wanda had a big heart and a smile for everyone, especially her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. She was devoted to her family and everything her “grands” would do was quite special for Wanda. She will be missed by her friends and especially by her family.

Wanda is preceded in death by husband of 55 years, Richard Goetz, parents, Carl and Verna Kurrle, and her brothers, Scott and Jack Kurrle. She is survived by children Michael (Gayle), Nancy (Greg) Vrbka and Thomas (Cindy); grandchildren: Benjamin (Amy) Goetz, Timothy (Anne) Goetz, Mary Kay (Blake) Thompson, Olivia and Nicholas Vrbka, Jacob (Halie), Abby, Mitchell and Jeffrey Goetz; great-grandchildren: Ella, Patrick, Jonah, Charlie, Beckett and Willa Goetz and Anna, Owen and Lucy Thompson.

VIGIL SERVICE: Friday, October 18, 2024, at 7:00PM at West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha with VISITATION from 5:00-7:00PM.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 9:30AM at Mary Our Queen Catholic Church, 3405 S. 118^th St. Omaha.

INTERMENT: Resurrection Cemetery

Memorials may be directed to the Family for the Hearing Impaired or to Mary Our Queen Catholic Church.

To view a live Broadcast of the Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click on the “LiveCast” button at the top of the homepage.