Gary Goetzman

USAF Lt. Col. Gary R. Goetzman, 83, passed away on February 17, 2024, with a sudden rupture of an aortic aneurysm in Texas.

Gary grew up on the beloved, 500-acre, grade-A dairy, family farm, now Valley Oaks subdivision and Big Valley Ranch, Inc., with his parents, George and Gertrude (Kamrowski) Goetzman-Abts and five siblings, Gayle (Goetzman-Stolpa), Greta (Dural-Sarazin), Gwendolyn (Drazkowski), Gregory (Pamela), and Gordy (Barbara) Goetzman.

Gary and Evelyn (Lolly) Haskett were married over 60 years and have three children, Canda (Vinson), Nicolette (Brown-Mason-Goetzman), and Jim (Kim) Kazemba; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

After a four-year Winona State College degree, Gary went to Officer Training School in the United States Air Force. He worked with missiles in Germany, was electronic warfare officer on the B-52 bomber and logistics officer on the Airborne Command Plane. Gary’s career included four years of service in Vietnam. He achieved 10 Fly Medals along with the Distinguished Flying Cross. After his successful 21-year military career, Gary retired as lieutenant colonel from the United States Air Force.

In retirement, he established a real estate business where he bought run-down apartments, houses, and buildings to renovate and sell.

Throughout his life, Gary was a strict but fair, caring, and involved family man known for his political views. He was handsome, hardworking, and athletic, plus an avid hiker, hunter, skier, fisherman, and nature lover. His life joy was researching family history and teasing all during family storytelling gatherings.

With family help, he organized the very first nationwide Goetzman Family Reunion, taking place on the now family Century Farm — Big Valley Ranch! Many future reunions took place in other states. Gary will be forever missed by his family, friends, and much-loved dachshund, Noodles.

A celebration of Gary’s life is September 13, 2024, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Hoff Celebration of Life Center, Goodview. We welcome family, friends, and classmates! Visitation luncheon begins immediately, followed by Fr. John Abts conducting a short service accompanied by an open mic of remembrance.

The family respectively asks that memorials be directed to American Legion Post 9 Veterans’ Relief Fund, 302 E. Sarnia St., Winona, MN 55987. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Leave online memories at www.hofffuneral.com.