Edith Bernice Goebel

Edith Bernice Goebel 101 of Mahaska, KS. passed away February 21, 2018 in Mahaska. She was born July 3, 1916 in Mahaska, KS. to Henry & Elnora (Korner) Petersen. No viewing, cremation has taken place. A register book is available at the funeral home in Fairbury. Memorial services will be at 2:00 pm Monday February 26, 2018 at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home Chapel in Fairbury, NE. Memorials to the Mahaska Presbyterain Church.

Edith Bernice Goebel the only child of Henry & Elnora (Koerner) Peterson was born July 3, 1916 at her parent’s home 5 ½ miles east & 1 mile south of Mahaska. She passed away at her home February 21, 2018 east of Mahaska, she attended Stephens country school 1 ^st – 7 ^th grade, then Hopewell country school for 8 ^th grade & graduated from Mahaska High school class of 1934. She rode her pony to high school all four years. She is the last surviving member of her class. After high school Bernice attended York College at York, NE. on a music scholarship where she received a Teachers Certificate. She then taught five years . One year at Dist. 40 west of Fairbury for $60 dollars a month plus room & board. Three years at Dist. 10 southeast of Fairbury for $75 dollars a month plus room & board. In these two schools she taught all 8 grades. Then she taught 7-8 grade & was music teacher at Diller public schools. On July 10, 1942 at Salina, KS. she married Luther Goebel from Mahaska while he was home on leave from the U.S. Navy. Bernice then spent the next 3 years in San Diego, CA. while her husband finished his second 4 year enlistment in the Navy. After her husband’s discharge from the Navy the couple returned to their roots & began farming in the Mahaska community with her parents. This turned into a lifetime occupation of farming for her husband & homemaker for Bernice. There first residence was a small house on the edge of her parents farm. Then they moved to a farm S. E. of Mahaska, then on to a farm East of Mahaska where they lived for many years. Their last move was when they moved in with Bernice’s elderly mother to take care of her. Since then they called her parents farm home. To this union 3 children were born. Garen in San Diego, CA., Shareen in Fairbury, & Rellen in Steele City, NE. Bernice took on a active part in her community with Hopewell Club, Washington CO. Women’s Chorus, American Legion Aux., of which she was a lifetime member & the Mahaska Presbyterian Church which she has been a member since October 7, 1956 serving in numerous capacity’s. She sang in the church adult choir until it disbanded then organized a Junior Choir & directed it for many years. Bernice also sang for numerous funerals & other occasions in the territory for many years. Bernice was preceded in death by her 81 year old father & 98 year old mother & her 96 year old husband of 71 years. Survivors include Son Garen & wife Judy of Reynolds, NE., Daughter Shareen Baxter & husband Kenneth of Harington, KS., & son Rellen of Mahaska. 3 Grandsons; Brice Goebel & wife Valerie of Marion, KS., Clint Baxter of Kansas City, MO., & Rodney Baxter of Glendale, AZ., 2 Great Grandchildren Dylan Goebel & Kaitlyn Goebel of Marion, KS. Services of passing February 26, 2018 2 pm at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home Chapel in Fairbury, NE. Private family burial at a later date. Memorials to the Mahaska Presbyterian Church.