A Mass of Christian Burial for 87-year old Janis Goetzinger of Martin, SD, will be held Monday, Feb 19, 2024, at 10:00 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Martin, SD.
Interment will be Tues, Feb 20, at 11:00 at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.
A Vigil Service will be held Sun, Feb 18, at 7:00 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Martin, SD
Online condolences may be left at www.chamberlainchapel.com
Janis Maxine Goetzinger was born on March 23, 1936, in Alliance, NE to Samuel J and Clara O. (Leu) Kline Sr. She passed away peacefully on February 8, 2024, at Gordon Countryside Care in Gordon, NE.
Janis and her younger brother Sam Jr were raised and nurtured among a swell of aunts, uncles and cousins who all resided on Potash Avenue in Alliance.
Jan was a “City Girl” working as telephone operator using the old switchboard to connect calls when she met her future husband Gerald Goetzinger, a former “Country Boy” from Hemmingford, NE, who had returned from the Korean War,
The sweethearts married on Thanksgiving Day, Nov 28, 1957 in Alliance. They then moved to Martin, where they raised their four children: Mike, Pat, Cathy and Tom.
Jerry & Jan owned and operated a farm implement and salvage business known as Goetzinger Enterprises, Ltd., with its divisions GE Farm Supply, GE Sales & Salvage and GE Manufacturing. They operated GE for 45 years before retiring in 2002.
The American Legion & Auxiliary were a huge part of both Jerry and Jan’s lives. Jan joined the Legion Post 240 Auxiliary in Martin in 1962 and was a proud member for 62 years.
She held many local, state and national positions but her most important – especially locally – was as the gatekeeper for access to the Martin Legion Hall when it was still located in the basement of the old Legion Auditorium. If you wanted to use the Legion Hall, you first had to talk to Jan.
Jan was elected SD Legion Auxiliary State President for 1988-1989, which complimented Jerry’s position as State Commander a decade earlier in 1976-77. They were one of only a few couples to hold the top state office in both the Legion and Auxiliary.
Jan was also elected American Legion Auxiliary National Vice President in 1998-1999, again mirroring Jerry’s term as National Vice Commander of the Legion. Some of their best times were spent traveling the country with their Legion Family. Jan’s Auxiliary leadership teams were referred to as “Jan’s Jewels.” Jan’s tenure in Legion leadership was notable for her gifts of bejeweled bling to members. Even today, Jan’s bling still delights grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In 1984, the Martin Beta Iota Chapter presented Jan with the DIANA, the Distinguished International Academy of Notable Achievement – Award. She was very appreciative that her Martin friends honored her with the local DIANA Award.
For as long as Jerry and Jan lived in Martin, they were active parishioners of the local Catholic church, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
Jan was a voracious reader of books about the Panhandle of Nebraska, the Sand Hills, Native Americans, the South Dakota prairie, and the Black Hills. She left a well-stocked library of such books at the Family Cabin in the Black Hills for family and visitors to enjoy.
Her grandchildren will remember her for always spoiling them with sweet treats: bear claws, donuts, cinnamon gum, and whatever was stashed in her candy drawer, as well as for providing the side dishes and desserts to accompany whatever manner of main course Jerry whipped up for family and friends.
Janis was preceded in death in June 2023 by her beloved husband Gerald, her parents Sam Sr and Clara Kline, her brother Sam Kline Jr, his wife Mary Lou, and her granddaughter Brooke Goetzinger
Janis is survived by her children Mike and his wife Karen, Pat and his wife Erin, Cathy and her husband Pete Bolzer, and Tom and his wife Kim, as well as Jan’s Jewels – her 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.