Elizabeth Helene Goering

Elizabeth Helene Claassen Goering October 30, 1920 – December 23, 2021 Elizabeth Goering was a well-loved matriarch with a passion for peace and justice. Born in rural Butler County, Kansas, she was the eldest child of Albert S. and Florence Schumi Claassen. She grew up working on the family farm and caring for her 7 younger siblings. The family attended Emmaus Mennonite Church where she joined the congregation after her baptism. Her formal education began in a one-room elementary school; she graduated from Whitewater High School in 1938. Her Christian religious beliefs remained solid through her entire life and served as a firm foundation for her passionate desire to learn, explore and grow. She enrolled in Bethel College from 1939 to 1941, attained her teaching certificate and taught for 2 years at Good Hope School in Marion County. While at Bethel, she met the love of her life, Victor Goering. They were married on June 11, 1943. By that time, Vic had been drafted into Civilian Public Service (CPS), so they were unable to establish a traditional household. Elizabeth found work either near Vic’s CPS posts (in Hill City, South Dakota, Marlboro, New Jersey, and Terry, Montana) or returned to Kansas to teach school. After the war, the couple began farming in central Kansas, first on rental farms near McPherson and Halstead, then on their own land northeast of Moundridge. Elizabeth devoted herself to helping with the farm operation, managing the household, and nurturing their 4 children. She also was a skilled seamstress and a baker extraordinaire. But her consummate skills in domestic and farm life did not preclude other passions. She was also an active feminist, an avid reader, politically involved and never afraid to speak her truth. She marched with her children in protest of the Vietnam War and was always involved with women’s and civil rights, including attending speeches by Gloria Steinem. She was an active participant in the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom for many years. In 1959, after her children were all in school, she returned to teaching in local elementary schools, while at the same time taking college classes at night and over the summers to complete her bachelor’s degree, graduating from Bethel in 1965. That same year she started a 17-year career as a first-grade teacher in the Hesston Unified School District. At Hesston, she taught the gifted children’s program, where she was able to integrate her love of teaching with her boundless creativity. Her teaching career spanned more than 50 years. With Victor also working full time in the educational field, they were able to give up the farming operation in 1968. Elizabeth appreciated having time for travel and other activities. She delved deeply into her family history and genealogy, tracing roots back to the Vistula River delta in Poland, County Roscommon in Ireland, and Canton Bern in Switzerland. Over the years, Vic and Elizabeth opened their home to many friends, relatives, and travelers. They formed special bonds with Polish agricultural trainees Grazyna and Vonda, whom they would later visit during some of their many trips to Europe. Other international travel opportunities included trips to Asia (Taiwan, China and Japan) and South America (Peru and the Mennonite settlements in Paraguay). After retiring from teaching in 1983, she and Victor moved to Elkhart, Indiana for 2 years to volunteer at the Mennonite Seminary. Upon return to Kansas, they remained on the farm until 1993, when they moved to a home near the Bethel campus in North Newton. They spent their final years at Kidron Bethel Village. Elizabeth is survived by her 4 children: Steven (Stein) Goering and wife Barbara Duerksen of Richland Center, WI, Rachel (Rachelle) Goering and partner Todd Lejnieks of Cave Creek, AZ, Deborah (Deb) Teitelbaum and husband Howard of Scottsdale, AZ; Terence (TR) Goering and wife Kit of Newton, KS; 6 grandchildren: Kate Rutschman, Stephanie Lang Lynch, Scott Goering, Kelsey Goering, Nelson Goering, and Joel Goering; 5 great-grandchildren, and 5 siblings: Elva Unruh, Mildred Voran, Dora Golden, John Claassen, and Virgil Claassen. She was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, Victor Goering, in 2016, and siblings Louis Claassen and Ruth Janzen. In accordance with Elizabeth’s wishes her body will be cremated. Friends and family are invited to a memorial open house honoring Elizabeth’s life on Friday, June 24, 2022 , from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the North Newton City Hall, 2601 N. Main St., North Newton. A graveside service will be be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at Eden Mennonite Church Cemetery, Moundridge, KS. Memorial donations may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee, Kauffman Museum, or Mennonite Women USA online, or in care of Moundridge Funeral Home, PO Box 410, Moundridge, Kansas 67107.

Elizabeth Helene Goering

October 30, 1920 - December 23, 2021