Delmar Lester Goetz

Delmar Lester Goetz

February 21, 1940 - November 09, 2024

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Obituary

 

LODI- Delmar L. Goetz, age 84, peacefully passed away on Sat. Nov. 9, 2024, at his home. He was born in Halliday, ND, on Feb. 21, 1940, the son of Gottfried and Hilda (Klatt) Goetz. He attended a very small school and high school at Werner, ND, graduating in 1957.  In the fall of 1957, he enrolled at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA, but skipped a year to work, and then graduated in June of 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  In the fall of 1962, he began his theological training at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA. and graduated with a Master of Divinity Degree in 1966


During his second year at Wartburg Seminary, he met Janice M. Michaelis from Middleton, WI and they were united in marriage on Aug. 15, 1964, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Middleton. Immediately after the wedding they traveled to Denver, CO where Delmar served a year of internship at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and at the University of Denver.


After that internship, they returned to Dubuque, IA and Wartburg Seminary where they lived on campus while he finished his degree in Theology. Michael Steven was born to them in Dubuque on Dec. 19, 1966, before they traveled to ND for Delmar’s ordination in his hometown of Halliday, ND on Jan. 1, 1967. Then on Jan. 2, they traveled to Willow City, ND to begin serving his first call to parish ministry!


Daniel Paul was born to Delmar and Janice on Nov. 17, 1967, in Bottineau, ND, but died at birth. Pamela Jane was then born to them on Nov. 19, 1968, in Bottineau.


In the fall of 1970, they moved to Cando, ND to serve Cando Lutheran Church until 1975 when they moved to St. Louis Park, MN.  to serve at Westwood Lutheran Church.


In 1978, Del accepted the call to serve Four-Point Parish at Cashton, WI.  While serving the Cashton Parish, he participated in an Extended Unity of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) at La Crosse (Gundersen) Lutheran Hospital one day a week for a year.


In 1981, Del and his family moved to Lodi, WI to serve as Pastor of First Lutheran Church. In 1982 - 83, he participated in another extended unit of CPE, this time at Mendota Mental Health Center in Madison, for one day a week. Then after about six years he was encouraged and accepted into a full year of CPE Residency program at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee.  


In 1988, he was available for an opening in Jail Ministry at the Dane County Jail in Madison, with the Madison Area Lutheran Council and the Dane County Sheriff’s Dept where he served until Jan. 1, 2007.


In addition to his wife, Janice who preceded him in death on April 28, 2016, after 51 years of marriage he was also preceded in death by his parents; brother, Irvin and sisters-in-law, Jane Goetz and Jean Michaelis.


Survivors include his son, Michael; daughter, Pamela (Gerald) Andersen; five beautiful granddaughters, Katie, Kelsey, Ashley, Ally and Jordan; his brother, Donald (Bonnie); his sister, Judy (Ken); sister-in-law, Lynda Goetz; and brothers-in-law, Robert, Kenneth (Joanne), and Bruce (Kay) Michaelis; and other relatives and friends.


A private Celebration of Life for Delmar will be conducted with Michael and Pamela and other family members at the Historic First Lutheran Church, Middleton, WI, with Committal rites in the church cemetery to reunite Delmar with Janice. In lieu of flowers or memorials, please consider a donation in Delmar's name to one of his favorite charities, Rawhide Youth Services @ rawhide.org


For more information and online condolences please visit www.gundersonfh.com



Gunderson Lodi

Funeral & Cremation Care

157 S. Main St.

(608) 592-3201


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SZ
Stephen Zipsie
Other •
Del was a good guy to work with at the Sheriff Dept. He was dedicated in trying to minister to the inmates of the jail. He was easy to work with an had a genuine love of people.
DS
David Solberg
Other •
Rich memories of study days at Wartburg Theological Seminary and many good visits over the years. High regard for Del's ministry and service, especially at Dane County. Rest in peace. Grace abounds. David Solberg
BB
Barbara Bass
Other •
I’m sorry I never got to meet Del. I know that his family loved him so much and that he is now with his love, Janice. I m sure they are both so happy in God’s arms and those of His Angels!
BS
Brian Smith
Other •
I first met Del in 1996 when he was the jail chaplain and I was a new deputy. I had to ask who he was when he walked into the control room because he was very unassuming. I liked him from the first time I met him. He was caring and compassionate to all and he cracked some jokes to help break the tension some times. I watched him pull money out of his pocket to help someone buy a bus ticket to go home when released from jail. He would say “my wife would be mad at me if she knew I was doing this” but did it because he felt it was the right thing to do. He was a good example for us all! Rest in peace my friend!!
BR
Bev reinke
Other •
Have many fond memories of Pastor Goetz. Our family couldnt have had a better neighbor for my father. Del always went out of his way to help him anonymously. Del also loved to walk downtown Lodi to get his soup for lunch. Sympathy to his family. Bev Reinke
SC
Shilah Conklin
Other •
Chaplain Del was an incredibly caring, generous, and loving man. I don’t know of a person more respected by the inmates and staff of the DCSO. He always had a smile, a joke, or reassuring words to share with all of us. His kindness and compassion were evident in everything he did. He was always welcomed in all of our work areas, as even on tough days, he was able to bring perspective, put smiles on our faces, and laughter in our hearts.

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