Goering, Elva L. (1913-2004)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2004 Oct 15 p. 2; 2004 Oct 16 p. 2

Birth date: 1913 May 25

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2004 Nov 1 p. 12

text of obituary:

ELVA L. GOERING

Elva L. Goering, 91, of North Newton, Kan., died Oct. 14, 2004. She was born May 25, 1913, to John B. and Jessie Schrag Goering on a farm northwest of Moundridge, the first of 16 children.

She was baptized June 16, 1929. She graduated from Moundridge High School in 1932. In 1935, she enrolled in Bethel College for training to become a nurse, but her plans were interrupted when her mother died in April 1936. There were offers of adopting the six younger siblings, ranging from age 6 to infant twin brothers. She and her sister, Frieda, decided to give up their plans so as to care for the family. They moved to a farm north of Canton in August 1936. The Depression severely impacted their finances, so in 1942 she took a job as a cook in the dietetic department of McPherson Hospital. She worked there until 1950.

She married Dan Goering on June 10, 1955. He died Jan. 6, 1980.

Her church membership was transferred from Eden Mennonite Church near Moundridge, to Zion Mennonite Church in Elbing, to First Mennonite Church at Pretty Prairie. She served in different capacities in Women's Mission Society and taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school. After they retired from farming, she worked as a part-time cook at Prairie Sunset Home and worked there until 1982.

She moved in 1994 to Schowalter Villa in Hesston. Her church membership was transferred to First Mennonite Church, Newton. She moved to Kidron Bethel Retirement Home in October 1999.

Survivors include two stepdaughters, Lola Miller of Moundridge and LaVera Ayers and her husband, Phillip, of Portland, Ore.; a stepson, Donald Goering and his wife, Sherry, of Hugoton; two sisters, Martha Sundgren of Denver, Colo., and Joan Epp of Goessel; six brothers, Arthur Goering of Newton, John Goering of Gresham, Ore., Leonard Goering of Newton, James Goering of Dayton, Va., Harry Goering of Menifee, Calif., and Larry Goering of Ayden, N.C.; seven step-grandchildren; 16 step-great-grandchildren and a step-great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dan; a step-son-in-law, Leo Miller; six brothers, Walter, Alvin, Willard, Daniel, Herbert and Ralph; and a sister, Frieda Regier.