Raymond Francis Goergen

In Loving Memory of

Raymond Francis Goergen

Ray Goergen was born on March 21, 1920 on the family farm near Granville, Iowa to Michael and Suzanne Schumacher Goergen.  He grew up on the farm and attended St. Joseph Catholic School.  Ray later attended vocational school in Milford, IA for mechanics. Ray farmed with his father until being drafted. On February 14, 1942 Ray was inducted into the United States Army.  Ray served with the 12th Field Artillery Observation Battalion.  Ray was aboard a Liberty ship, the SS H.G. Blasdel set for Normandy, and as it sailed through the English Channel it was hit by a German U-boat torpedo.  Ray was injured and 40 were killed.  Ray received the Purple Heart for his injuries.  He also was awarded 4 Over Seas Bars, 5 Stars for major battles, Jubilee of Liberty Medal and WWII Memorial Dedication Medal.  Following his honorable discharge on November 13, 1945 he returned to the family farm.  On February 16, 1953 he and Iva Schwebach were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Granville.  Following their marriage they farmed near Granville until 1959 when they moved to a farm near Lake Sarah.  They retired in 1984 and built a new home on Lake Sarah.  In 2003 they moved to Slayton where they remained until 2014 when they moved to Marshall, MN.  In March 2018 due to failing health Ray moved to Prairie Home Hospice House in Marshall where he passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at the age of 98.  He was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton and a past member of the IHM Church in Currie.  He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Granville, IA and Slayton, MN VFW Post and the Currie American Legion Post.  He was a Charter member of PALS (People’s Association for Lake Sarah).  Ray enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling.  Ray also enjoyed playing his Jew’s harp and harmonica.

Survivors include his wife, Ivy Goergen of Marshall, MN, five children and their spouses, Susan and Don Blair of Garvin, MN, Alan and Karen Goergen Tracy, MN, Duane Goergen and Deanna Olson of Garvin, MN, Cary and Judie Goergen of Alexandria, MN, and Sandra and Del Anderson of Garvin, MN, 16 grandchildren, Heather and Kevin Bristow, Heath Johnson, Haley and Paul Rennerfeldt, Haven and Steve Shalikow, Lexi Goergen, Heidi Goergen, Joshua Goergen and Kelsey Labat, Jessica and Brock Wurscher, Jenna and Jason Evans, Nathan and Katie Goergen, Nicolas Goergen, Bridget and Dan King, Kristin Anderson, Leah and Paul Tuszynski, Tyler Anderson, and Brett and Seongsil Kim Anderson, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild on the way in late April.  He is preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, Joseph, Norbert, Leo, Ernest, Emil and Otto Goergen and one sister, Anne Klein.

Funeral Services

St. Ann’s Church in Slayton, MN on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. with Fr.Thien Nguyen officiating.  The organist is Sharon Lais.  The song leader is Sheila Crowley with special music by Denise Lev.  The pallbearers are his grandchildren.   Interment is at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Slayton, MN.  Military honors accorded by the Currie American Legion Post and the Slayton VFW Post.

Visitation will be on Monday, April 16, 2018 at St. Ann’s Church from 4-7 p.m.  with a KC Rosary at 6:45 p.m. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday.  Interment is at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Slayton, MN. 

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