Thelma Mae Goettsch

Thelma Mae Goettsch

Cedar Rapids

Thelma Mae Goettsch, aged 95, of Cedar Rapids, IA passed away on August 14, 2024, at home, surrounded by family. Born on September 15, 1928, in Victor, IA, she was a daughter to Forest and Lena (Ueltzen) Farnum. Thelma grew up on the family farm where she found a love for horses and being in nature. She graduated from Victor High School in 1946.

Thelma married Lambert Goettsch on May 4, 1946. She dedicated her early years to her family, moving frequently across Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri due to her husband’s work. Later, she joined the workforce doing data entry at Amana Refrigeration and subsequently worked in assembly at Rockwell Collins for 30 years before retiring.

Known for her loving and caring nature, Thelma was the backbone of her family and made friends wherever she went, always finding goodness in everyone. Her hobbies included cooking, gardening, crafting, watercolor painting, and dancing—passions she enjoyed throughout her life. Thelma was also an active member of the Cedar Valley Chapter Embroiderers’ Guild and the Widow and Widowers Club of Cedar Rapids, where she cherished the friendships, she made.

Thelma is survived by her daughters, Kathy Goettsch, Linda Carr, and Becky Huber; son, Robin Goettsch (Sue Erbes); grandchildren, Katie Brown, Ellen Goettsch, Neil Goettsch, and Louie Carr; and her sister, Esther Miceli. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son, Anthony Goettsch in infancy, grandson, Toby Carr, and stepbrothers, Orville, Leonard, and William Bloethe, and brother Wayne Farnum

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Smith Funeral Home in Victor, IA, with a visitation one hour prior. Burial will be held at the Zion Cemetery.

In honor of Thelma’s giving spirit, in lieu of flowers and memorial contributions, the family requests that you perform an act of kindness for another, as Thelma would have done.