Lydia M. Goertz

Many things can be said about Lydia M. Goertz. Known to friends and acquaintances as a friendly, energetic, empathic and decisive woman, her compassionate nature would always shine through, revealing her charm, warmth and conscientious demeanor. She was warmhearted, gentle and organized in all the things she sought to accomplish. Lydia was a mentor, a natural “teacher” capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the best in all of those around her. She generally had a focus on harmony and peace.

Her parents were Albina and William Lambrecht. Lydia was raised in Deanville. When she was young, her friends and family found that “straightforward” and “honest” were perfect words to describe her. Even as a child, she demonstrated strong qualities of self-confidence, perceptive ability and a disposition that was enjoyable to those around her.

Lydia grew up with eight siblings. She had five sisters, Angeline, Louise, Laura, Natalie, Rosalee and three brothers, William "Bill", Clarence and Louis. she was constantly involved in all sorts of activities with her family. She was even-tempered, taking care not to get involved in too many family conflicts. This quality served her well, in perpetually bringing harmony, understanding and a sense of peace to the family. She carried these traits into her adult life and served as one of many reasons why family and friends found her pleasurable and delightful to be around. Lydia was a person who genuinely understood and cared for others, making powerful connections with those she knew.

As a young girl, she was imaginative, ingenious, clever and a “novel” thinker. Regardless of whether her peers were older or younger, or came from different backgrounds, she could easily relate to other kids. She was an active child who took part in baseball and volleyball. In her spare time she liked playing sports and shared in many victories with her teammates. However, to her, the most fun to be had, was simply playing and spending time with her many friends and family.

During her high school years, Lydia had a natural flair for cheering on and applauding just about everyone. She was constantly offering her support and encouragement to fellow members of the groups and activities in which she participated. She did well in school and genuinely enjoyed telling stories in a way that drew people to her. In this way, she had a talent for becoming the center of attention, a kind of social catalyst. She was often found to be the lead person facilitating a group activity. Teachers and classmates knew her as an excellent listener. She placed a high value on learning and always understood that there was a new lesson to be grasped waiting for her just around the corner.

Always considered a “good” friend, Lydia sought to understand the things that others enjoyed. For this reason she always seemed to possess a never-ending collection of acquaintances. Her friends found her easy to know and get along with because of her talent for being socially at ease, adept at conversation, and always amiable in her dealings with others. She would always seek to learn what her friends enjoyed, and she would go out of her way to make sure that their needs were met. Lydia was always seen as the type of person who was the more gracious giver. In fact, she sometimes felt ill at ease when she was the one on the receiving end. Throughout her life she had many friends. While growing up, some of her best friends were Jasabel and Isaac. Later in life, she became friends with Bertha Fohn, Ruby Fohn, Ruby Hendrix, Barbara Michna, Celie Wilhelm, Celie Hoffman, Pat and Henrietta Meuth, Virdie Jackson, Erlene and Arthur, Mertlyle, Gilbert and Anna, James and Estelle and Milton and Marian Goertz.

On October 7, 1946 Lydia married Arnold J. Goertz at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Dime Box, Texas. Compassionate and devoted, she worked hard to make her new family happy. She was always generous with her time and this meant that Arnold came first in Lydia's book. She was always caring and made certain that she considered Arnold’s feelings. By trusting her emotions, she did her best to make sure that both the marriage and home life ran smoothly. This is just one more example of how Lydia was truly a person of empathy.

Her quality of being a caring and tolerant person who was very accepting of others translated to being a good mother to her children. She shared these values with her three daughters, Marie, Bonnie and Lisa and son Carl. Lydia was also blessed with five grandchildren, Tia, Miranda, Angela, Kristin, Megan, and two great-grandsons Jacob and Landon. Parky the parakeet and the family dog Blackie shared a place in her family for ten wonderful years. She related well to children of all ages and was able to connect to them on their level. She had two other special children that helped to round out the family. The children always loved her and she was completely and totally devoted to them.

Lydia experienced success in her work life over and over again. She did work for both a furniture factory and a bakery but her primary occupation was as a homemaker or housewife. She was employed for herself and her family. She always made the effort to understand what was needed and took pride in managing home and family. she continually sought to learn. This talent enabled her to help the family develop their own potential.

Because she was organized and methodical, Lydia took great pleasure in her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were gardening and canning and of course dancing and music. She loved to dance, play dominoes, bake, take care of others and most of all, just spending time with her family. Lydia enjoyed sharing her passions with others, especially the baking. Almost everything that came from her oven was delicious and heartfelt. She truly had a passion for baking.

Lydia was well known to others for her ability to naturally and conscientiously move into action to help others, a quality that placed her as an active contributor to the Ladies Auxiliary with VFW Post 2527 in Rockne, Texas. Charismatic by nature, she was always viewed by others as someone who built bridges, connected to people, and upheld her personal values.

Her faith was important to her. She was a devoted Catholic woman of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rockne, Texas. As a young adult she was a volleyball teacher for Sacred Heart Catholic School. She was compassionate and warm hearted, someone who truly cared for others and that was clearly demonstrated in her work with the church and congregation.

Though she never did anything solely for individual recognition, she was given accolades for her many and varied efforts throughout her life. If the truth were known, she was always a little uncomfortable with being singled out for recognition. Her most prestigious awards included her family. She was a proud wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

Lydia enjoyed traveling, and because she was so well organized, she would take on the responsibility of planning and scheduling all of the family vacations. Her gift for keeping things lively meant that vacations with her were always enjoyable. Her favorite vacations included many trips to Somerville Lake with family and friends.

Lydia M. Goertz passed away on August 1, 2015 at a nursing facility in Bastrop, Texas. She fought a brave battle against Alzheimer’s. She is survived by her loving children, Marie Clardy, Carl Goertz, Bonnie Woehl and her husband Bobby, Lisa Goertz and her fiancé Phil Ragland, grandkids, Tia Niehus, Angela Plante and husband Craig, Kristin Halbrook and husband Clayton, Megan Nuehring and husband Jimmy, Miranda Goertz and boyfriend Jacob McCollum, and great grandsons, Jacob Plante and Landon Halbrook.

Throughout her life, Lydia was a gregarious and enthusiastic woman. She was generous in sharing her personal attributes, giving and helping those she knew and loved. She would often fill the role of coach, bringing out the best in everyone. She was imaginative, original, tender hearted and easy to get along with. She leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember Lydia M. Goertz.

Services were held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rockne, Texas and she was laid to rest in Sacred Heart Cemetery