Goering, Roland R. (1917-2002)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2002 Feb 21 p. 2

Birth date: 1917

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Funeral program biographical sketch:

ROLAND R. GOERING

November 18, 1917 — February 20, 2002

Roland was born to Henry A. and Lydia Stucky Goering on November 18, 1917 near Moundridge, Kansas. He was one of fourteen children.

Roland’s education began at the Pleasant Ridge Grade School. He then attended Moundridge High School, and graduated with a B. A. from Bethel College and a Masters degree from Hartford Theological Seminary.

Roland was baptized and became a member of the Eden Mennonite Church. He was later ordained for ministry at Eden.

He was interested in teaching math but was also interested in some career in religion. He applied for teaching jobs in several schools. They wanted to know if he would be able to finish out the year or would he be called for service since our nation was engaged in a war. Roland couldn’t answer that question.

Roland heard that Dr. J. E. Hartzler was to speak at the Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church in Wichita. He wanted to hear him. After the lecture he told Roland he could get him into Hartford Theological Seminary. At the end of his second year at Hartford, he married Fern Goering on June 18, 1943 at the Eden Mennonite Church.

A few weeks before Roland graduated with a master’s degree he had a letter from a group of Mennonites who wanted to start a Mennonite church in McPherson, Kansas and asked him to help establish the church. He accepted this call. These were rewarding years. A congregation was formed and a new church was built, becoming The First Mennonite Church of McPherson, Kansas.

After ten years in McPherson, he was called to First Mennonite in Halstead, Kansas, then to First Mennonite Church in Reedley, California, and then to First Mennonite in Hilisboro, Kansas, after which he accepted a call to work for Bethel College a year in the Alumni Relations department where he visited and preached in 45 different churches. After that he went to the Salem Mennonite Church in Freeman, South Dakota. In 1985 he moved back to his roots and lived in North Newton where he could attend activities at Bethel College. He became a member of the Bethel College Mennonite Church.

He thought he was retiring but before he left the Salem Church in Freeman, South Dakota, the Tabor Mennonite Church near Newton asked him to do an interim until they got a full time pastor. Roland accepted. After Tabor he did an interim at Goessel Mennonite Church, Alexanderwohi Mennonite Church near Goessel, Hebron Mennonite in Buhler, Inman Mennonite Church and then to the Trinity Mennonite Church, Hilisboro, where he preached his last sermon in July, 1991. Two weeks later he had a severe stroke.

Those preceding him in death were his parents, brother Harley, and sisters, Violet, Marie, Erma (Mrs. Dan W. Goering), and Welda (Mrs. Harold Schmidt).

Survivors are his wife, Fern; sisters: Florence (Mrs. Wanen Swanson), Lincoln, Arkansas; Welma (Mrs. David Thiessen), Peabody; Lorita (Mrs. Richard Regier), Burrton; Ellen (Mrs. Reuben Schrag), McPherson and Joy (Mrs. Les Thiessen), Moundridge; brothers: Wilbert, and wife Enna; Vernon, and wife Marna from Moundridge; Howard, and wife Darlene, Peabody, and brother-in-law Harold Schmidt, and many nieces and nephews.

Many thanks to former church members who gave him a rich life and a pleasant 47 years in the ministry.

Memorials may be sent to Bethel College, Amnesty International and Mennonite Central Committee.

Not the end... The Beginning.

Burial was this afternoon at Eden Mennonite Church cemetery near Moundridge.