IN MEMORIAM

EXPANDED EULOGIES

“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.

Eleanora Goertzen

A celebration of life for Eleanora Fay (Unruh) Goertzen, 90, who passed away June 16, 2025, at Parkside Senior Living in Fort Wayne, Indiana, will be Oct. 11, 2025, at Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton.

She was born Jan. 29, 1935, the fifth of seven children of Jacob E. and Hannah (Wedel) Unruh.

Eleanora grew up on a farm northeast of Goessel, graduated from Goessel High School, and married Franklin D. Goertzen in 1955.

She was supervisor of the school food program for the grade school and high school in Goessel for more than 28 years and cooked at the high school.

Her peanut butter twists, cinnamon rolls, bierocks, and daily fresh bread were favorites, loved by students and teachers alike.

She was a gentle, loving woman who loved laughing at a good joke, gardening, reading, and cooking, but most of all she loved music.

She sang in church choirs and sang in the Tabor Women’s Trio for more than 20 years. Her soprano voice could easily be heard singing or humming as she worked.

Her life was at times challenging. She showed quiet strength when faced with difficulties in her life — depending on God’s strength and wisdom as she faced these challenges.

She cared deeply about her family, her church, and her community.

She was baptized and a member of Goessel Mennonite Church and after marrying Franklin became a member of Tabor Mennonite Church. In 2011, she moved to Leo, Indiana, to be closer to relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Franklin Goertzen; a son, Clifton; a daughter, Vicki: five brothers, Paul, Roy, Willard, C. Howard, and Harold; a sister, Janet Kaufman; and her parents.

Surviving her are daughter Patty Seibel (and husband Mark) of Ashville, NC, and son David Goertzen (and wife Rebecca) of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Also surviving are six grandchildren: Kristen, Andrew, Lauren, Abigail, Erin and Elyssa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Bethesda Home of Goessel or the Mennonite Central Committee.