Goertzen, Ernest (1926-2004)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2004 Aug 5 p. 2

Birth date: 1926 Feb 14

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2004 Sep 13 p. 8

text of obituary:

ERNEST GOERTZEN

Ernest "Ernie" Goertzen, 78, of Deadwood, Ore., died July 22, 2004, of heart failure. He was born Feb. 14, 1926, to Jacob S. and Pauline Unruh [Goertzen] in Goessel, Kan.

He attended Heimbaugh country grade school, where he later taught, and Goessel High School. During Civilian Public Service in World War II he worked in Hill City, S.D., and in a mental hospital in Upsilanti, Mich.

After graduating from Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., and marrying Mary Lou Rich in 1951, he taught school in western Kansas and Nebraska for three years. In 1957 he completed a master's degree in library science at the University of Illinois and became a reference librarian at Kansas State University.

In 1965, the family moved to Berkeley, Calif., where he worked in the Berkeley Public Library. In 1969 he resigned and became a full-time artist, singer and inventor. In 1970-71, the family became part of a community that were caretakers of the historic mission San Antonio de Padira in California. The mission was located in the middle of Hunter Liggett military reservation. His gifts of quiet and gentle peacemaking were just what was needed, as this was during the Vietnam War.

In 1975, the family moved to an old schoolhouse in Deadwood, Ore., selling their art work at the Eugene Saturday Market. He was a spiritual grandfather to many.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Mary Lou; three children, David of Seattle, Wash., Anya of Deadwood and Jonevan of Richmond, Calif.; a sister, LeWanda Banman of Goessel, Kan.; and a grandson.

Memorial services were held at Deadwood Community Center.