Luther Goebel

Luther Goebel, the seventh of eight children of Adolph and Minnie Roehs (Roosh) Goebel was born August 28, 1917 on the west edge of Mahaska, Ks. He passed away October 26, 2013 at Bryan LGH Hospital in Lincoln, Ne.

He attended Mahaska Grade School and graduated from Mahaska High School in 1936. Following High School he enlisted in the US Navy at Salina, Ks. He did his training at United States Naval Training Station at Great Lakes, IL. after which he spent 4 years stationed on the Battleship USS Pennsylvania with the Pacific Fleet. After 4 years in the Navy he returned to Iowa to work in his uncle’s auto garage as a mechanic. When the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, Luther re-enlisted in the US Navy as he figured he would be drafted anyway. His second 4 years in the Navy was spent on a Naval Patrol Boat, patrolling up and down the west coast.

On July 10, 1942 while home on leave he married Bernice Peterson of Mahaska, daughter of Henry and Elnora Peterson. She spent one year teaching school at Diller, Ne., before joining her husband and living in San Diego, Ca., for the next 3 years. Following his second 4 years in the Navy, Luther and his wife returned to their roots and began farming in the Mahaska community with his father-in-law. This turned into a lifelong occupation, taking over from his father-in-law in the 1960’s. Luther enjoyed farming and working the land and especially the opportunity to live in “God’s Country”, rural America.

Luther and Bernice had 3 children; Garen, born in San Diego, and Shareen and Rellen, born in Kansas.
Luther was a member of the Mahaska Presbyterian Church of over 57 years serving on the session and in other capacities. He was Co-Chairman and Chairman of the churches Pancake and Sausage Supper for many years.
Luther was also a member of the American Legion Post 377 at Mahaska for over 65 years, serving several different offices and helping with Memorial Day Services for many years.

Luther was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Earl, Paul and Art; sisters Carolyne, Myrtle and Lillie; and is survived by his youngest sibling, Ernest and wife Lillie of Rock Point, Wi.
Other survivors include his wife of 71 years, Bernice Goebel of Mahaska, Ks; Son Garen Goebel and wife Judy of Mahaska, Ks; Daughter Shareen Baxter and husband Kenneth of Herington, Ks. and Son Rellen Goebel of Mahaska, Ks. Three Grandsons; Brice Goebel and wife Valerie of Marion, Ks. Clint Baxter of Kansas City, Mo., and Rodney Baxter of Glendale, Az. Two Great Grandchildren; Dylan Goebel and Kaitlyn Goebel of Marion, Ks.

Services will be held November 1, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Gerdes-Meyer Chapel in Fairbury, Ne. Private family burial will be at a later date. Memorials will go to the Mahaska Presbyterian Church.