Mary Ann M. Goettsch

Mary Ann M. Goettsch, was born on February 17, 1926, on the family farm outside of Harlan, Iowa, to Frank and Barbara (Dotzler) Koppold. Mary Ann led a life rich with love, hard work, and joy. A proud graduate of Harlan High School in 1944, Mary Ann began her career as a country school teacher, a role she held until 1950. Mary Ann married Howard Goettsch on June 6, 1950 and together they devoted their lives to raising their children: Cindy, Fred and Bob. She embodied the chaos of life with her children and helping Howard on their family farm. After this children were grown her and Howard made a home during the winter months in Pharr, Texas, where they embraced new experiences and time away from the cold.

Mary Ann spent some of her later working career as a field assessor for Pottawattamie County; a job that went hand in hand with her farming career with Howard. Mary Ann loved to vacation. She loved to learn about the history of the world and spend time with those she loved. In a recent article written by her granddaughter, Stephanie, she noted that the most incredible invention in her lifetime was electricity. She was 15 years old when electricity was invented and before that they would spend time filling kerosene lamps weekly on Saturday evenings. Mary Ann and Howard loved to dance. They would spend their teenage years dancing at the hall in Defiance until 1:00 in the morning. Mary Ann enjoyed the simple pleasures of life including; moving her body, reading books, playing cards, and tending to her flower garden to name a few.

Mary Ann went to be with those who have passed before her on April 29, 2026, at the Cass County Hospital in Atlantic, attaining the age of 100 years, 2 months and 13 days. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Howard, who passed in 2018; her beloved mother and father Barbara and Frank Koppold; and her siblings LaVerne, Frank, Virgil, Leona and Victor.

She is lovingly remembered by her children: Cindy (Dean) Fornoff of Springfield, Nebraska; Fred (Mary Lou) Goettsch of Hancock, Iowa; and Bob (Bernitta) Goettsch of Avoca, Iowa; 8 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren: Nichole (Jim) Jansen and their children Kaleb and Alexis; Michaela (David) Bidrowsky and their daughter Makenna; Kyle (Jenny) Fornoff and their son Kamden; Anthony (Nicole) Goettsch and children Kael and Claire; Cecilia (Josh) Schuler and their children Madeline, Molly, and Mason; Stephanie (Brian) Geraghty and their children Caden, Cole, and Hailey; Jeff (Rachel) Goettsch and their children Jake, Layne, and Brennen; Jennifer Goettsch (partner Jase Kelley) and children Mataya and Haysten; brother Leonard Koppold (Sharon) of Allen, Texas, along with nieces, nephews, numerous other relatives, and many dear friends.