Goering, Orlando J. (1920-2010)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2010 Aug 2 p. 13

Birth date: 1920 Nov 7

text of obituary:

ORLANDO J. GOERING

Orlando J. Goering, 89, of Freeman, S.D., died July 8, 2010, at Oakview Terrace. He was born Nov. 7, 1920, to Benjamin B.J. and Anna (Goering) Goering near Moundridge, Kan.

He was baptized on May 30, 1937, at Eden Mennonite Church of rural Moundridge. He graduated from Bethel College, North Newton, Kan., in 1943. He completed seminary training at Garrett Theological Seminary, Evanston, Ill., and earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in sociology from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. He taught at Freeman Junior College, Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, Bluffton (Ohio) University and was professor emeritus of sociology at the University of South Dakota, where he taught from 1971 to 1984.

At Bethel College he met Violet Miller, and they were married on June 1, 1944.

His interest in religious and ethnic groups let to the publication of numerous articles relating to various communal groups in South Dakota, including the Hutterites. He and his wife, Violet, collaborated on research and were contributors to the South Dakota History journal. His hobbies included woodworking and maintaining his farm.

Upon retirement, he and Violet served from 1984 to 1987 under the General Conference Mennonite Church mission board at Hiroshima, Japan, as directors of the World Friendship Center, which helped atomic bomb survivors and promoted world peace. When they returned to Vermillion, he served as interim pastor at Sermon on the Mount Mennonite Church in Sioux Falls. In 1996 they moved to Freeman, where they were active members of Salem Mennonite Church. Survivors include a son, Arden Goering and his wife, Candace, of Sioux Falls; two daughters, Diane Hanson and her husband, Phil, of Denver, and Janice Goering of Newtown, Pa.; three siblings, Dorothy Krehbiel of Inman, Kan., Clarence Goering of Moundridge and Milo Goering of Halstead, Kan.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Violet, on March 16, 2004; a daughter, Lynette; two sisters, Elda Waltner and Myrtle Unruh; and a brother, Delbert Goering.

Memorial services were held at Salem Mennonite Church, Freeman. Burial was in Salem Mennonite Church Cemetery.