Fifth Generation

78. Gilbert G. "Gil" GOETZKA was born on 25 June 1941 in Knapp Township, Jackson County, WI.⁶⁹ He died on 20 February 2015 at the age of 73 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶⁹

Obituary Notes: "Gilbert G. Goetzka, 73, of Warrens/Tomah passed away Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, at Tomah Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Tomah. He was born June 25, 1941, in the Town of Knapp, Jackson County, Wis., to Carl and Irene (Erdman) Goetzka.

Gilbert attended Drescher grade school in the Knapp Township. He was confirmed in the Christian faith at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church June 27, 1954. He was a 1959 graduate of Black River Falls High School. Following graduation, Gilbert moved to Milwaukee and worked at multiple places.

On July 2, 1960, he was married to his high school sweetheart, Virginia “Ginny” Halverson. They lived in Milwaukee for 11 years before moving back to the area in the Bear Bluff Township, Jackson County. In 1973, they moved to the Goetzka family farm in the Town of Knapp. Gilbert worked briefly on construction and then was manager at Morrison Creek Cranberry Co. until his retirement in 2004. Gilbert was active in Trinity Lutheran Church serving various positions on church council and in the building of the new church. He enjoyed shooting traps, sporting clays and deer hunting. Come late November every year the Goetzka farm became “deer camp.”

Gil and Ginny enjoyed motorcycling, card playing, traveling and most of all raising their sons and spending time with their grandchildren, other friends and family. Virginia preceded him in death in 2004.

On Sept. 17, 2005, he married Barbara Heeler Murdock. Gil and Barb enjoyed motorcycling, camping, snowmobiling, traveling and spending time together with friends and family.

He is survived by his wife, Barb of Tomah; his two sons, Kirk (Laurie) Goetzka and their children, Chad Goetzka, Justin Goetzka, Jessica (Matt) Bue and Christine Hruza, Greg Goetzka and his son, William; great-grandchildren, Owen Goetzka and Stella, Finnley and Ava Bue. He is further survived by Barb’s children and grandchildren; his nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; and grandparents; an infant son, Carl Sigurd Goetzka; a brother, Donald Goetzka; and sisters, Shirley Benoit and Janice Chopp.

Gil was a faithful and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. We loved him dearly and will always miss him until the day by God’s amazing grace we are united with him once again.

Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Millston, Wis. Pastor Em. Burgess Huehn officiated. Burial followed in Warren Mills Cemetery, Warrens."

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Gilbert G. "Gil" GOETZKA and Barbara Jean "Barb" HEELER were married on 17 September 2005.⁶⁹ Barbara Jean "Barb" HEELER, daughter of Martin August William HEELER and Ruby Etta STELLINGS, was born on 22 March 1943 in Monroe County, WI.^21,70,71 She graduated in 1961 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁷⁰ from Tomah High School.

Gilbert G. "Gil" GOETZKA and Virginia "Ginny" HALVERSON were married on 2 July 1960.⁶⁹ Virginia "Ginny" HALVERSON died in 2004.