Obit: Goetzka, Irene Gertrude (1910 – 2009)

Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Goetzka, Butterfuss, Erdmann, Chopp, Benoit, Van Dinter, Bade

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) June 10, 2009

Goetzka, Irene Gertrude (9 October 1910 – 8 June 2009)

Irene G. Goetzka, 98, of Warrens died Monday, June 8, 2009, in Serenity House, Tomah.

Irene Gertrude Erdmann was born Oct. 9, 1910, in Tomah to Emil and Emma (Butterfuss) Erdmann.  She was raised in the Tomah area. She married Carl Goetzka Jan. 18, 1930, in Tomah.  Irene and Carl had four children, Donald, Shirley, Janice and Gilbert.  Carl Goetzka died June 24, 1973.

In addition to being a homemaker, Irene had many jobs throughout her life, including restaurants and Fort McCoy for years.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Millston.  She played organ in various churches for many years.  She was a very dedicated church member and an inspiration to all who knew her.

She enjoyed gardening, quilting, preserving foods and playing cards (500, euchre and pinochle).

Survivors include two sons, Donald (Shirley) Goetzka and Gilbert (Barbara) Goetzka, both of Warrens; a daughter, Janice Chopp of Shamrock; 19 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; many great-great-grandchildren; a son-in-law, Joe Benoit of Tomah; a former son-in-law, Gilbert (Marian) Van Dinter of Tomah; and numerous other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband, Carl, Irene was preceded in death by a daughter, Shirley Benoit; two sisters, Margaret and Vienna; a son-in-law, Michael Chopp; a daughter-in-law, Virginia Goetzka; and a grandson, Keith Goetzka.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 12, 2009, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Millston.  Rev. Lawrence Bade will officiate.  Burial will be in the Knapp Cemetery, Town of Knapp Jackson County.

Family and friends may call at the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at the church Friday from 10 a.m. until services.

The family prefers memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church of Millston.