A funeral service for Cloy Goetsch, age 83, of Andover, Minnesota, formerly of Terril, Iowa, was held on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake. Burial was in Lakeview Gardens Cemetery.
Cloy Dale Goetsch, 83, of Andover, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on May 27th, 2022.
Cloy was born on August 23, 1938, in Kerrick, Minnesota, to Harry and Della (Probst). After graduating from Terrill High School in 1956, he attended Estherville Jr. College and eventually the University of Minnesota. In high school, he played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track, and went on to play football in college.
On August 16, 1956, Cloy enlisted in the United States Navy. During his time of service, Cloy earned a rank of FT2 (E5) and served during Vietnam on the U.S.S. Osbourn. Cloy was released from active duty and transferred to the Naval Reserve on July 29, 1959. He was honorably discharged on August 15, 1962.
While visiting his landlady in the hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, he met Carole (Focht), who was working as a nurse at the hospital. They married on June 12th, 1963, in Birmingham, and had two daughters, Colette and Cheryl. The family moved to numerous states with Cloy’s job at Control Data before settling in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. As empty-nesters, they built their dream home in Andover, Minnesota.
Cloy worked as a Systems Manager at Control Data where one of his roles was as a Senior Program Manager for NASA. He was proud to have been a part of the Space Shuttle program.
Cloy was an active member in his community. He was a member of the Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Ham Lake, Minnesota, as well as a member of both the VFW and American Legion.
Cloy enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf. He enjoyed “tinkering” and was known in the family as “MacGyver”. His hobbies included woodworking, gardening, birdwatching and reading. He enjoyed watching his Minnesota sports teams – the Vikings, Gophers, Twins, Timberwolves and the Wild. He loved dogs, especially his dog Quinn. He also enjoyed visiting with his neighbors.
He will be missed by many, including his wife Carole; two daughters, Colette (Kelly) Brown, and Cheryl (Bryce) Adams; three granddaughters, Jess (Billy) Becker, Ali (Michelle) Brown, Josie, and two great-granddaughters Waylyn and Mabel Becker; sisters, Connie (Bill) Wymer and Jean Goetsch; niece Cara (DJ) Naatjes and great-nephews, Cruz and Cain. Also, by several loving cousins and classmates. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.