Dorothy J. Goeske

Dorothy Jean Goeske was born June 5, 1936 to Elmer and Hilda (Petersen) Woolsey in Jeffers, Minnesota. Her younger years were spent with her parents and siblings on their rural farm. She graduated from Luverne High School in 1954. On June 12, 1955, Dorothy was united in marriage to Wendell Goeske at Bethany Lutheran Church. The couple made their home in Luverne, Minnesota. Dorothy’s earlier years were spent working at Tri-State Insurance and Luverne Bumper Company. Later in life she held various jobs working with the Luverne Public Schools. Her final and favorite years there were spent operating the lunch line at Luverne Public Schools so she could see the students every day. 

Dorothy was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, where she was active in circle, choir, Bible study and Sunday school. She spent time caring for the residents of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. Her children and extended family was a very important part of her life.  

Dorothy will be lovingly remembered by her son, Mark and his wife, Serena, along with their children, Sean and Charlene; son-in-law, Ken, and children, Chris and Mindy; siblings, Darlene, Donna, Dale, and David.  

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer Woolsey and Hilda Woolsey (Ihlan); husband, Wendell; and daughter, Pamela. 

On Saturday, May 20 at 10:00 pm, while surrounded by her son, Mark, and his immediate family, Dorothy stopped breathing for almost two minutes. At this point, Mark and his family, along with her nurse, thought this was the end. While gathered around to say goodbye, Dorothy gasped for breath and started breathing again. Something inside her said “no, Dorothy, this is not the time”. The family stood vigil throughout the night. About 13 hours later on Sunday, May 21, Dorothy peacefully passed away…on Wendell’s 89^th birthday.  

Dorothy will be laid to rest next to Wendell, her husband of 68 years, in a private family ceremony.