LaVerne Stanley Goettsch

LaVerne Stanley Goettsch, age 93, Branson, Missouri

Beloved father, grandfather and friend, LaVerne Stanley Goettsch, entered into the holy presence of God on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at the age of 93.

LaVerne was born in Atlantic, Iowa on September 16, 1930.  He was raised by his parents, Clarence and Hazel (Campbell) Goettsch in Winterset, Iowa where he attended school and graduated.  He began his post-secondary studies at Duke University before joining the United States Army in 1951.  He served from January 1951 to January 1954 during the Korean Conflict. Also during that period, he married his sweetheart, Emmajean Miller on December 30, 1951 in Winterset.  After returning from the war, he completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Denver in Boulder, CO. 

LaVerne was a devoted husband and father.  He provided for his family through his employment with Caterpillar.  He had different positions over the span of his career with the company including managing the parts department, overseeing inventory and creating the floor plans for Caterpillar dealers. 

LaVerne and Emmajean retired to Branson in 1989 from Morton, IL.  LaVerne enjoyed fishing and traveling which took him around the world twice.  He was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church in Branson.  He loved the Branson entertainment shows including attending and sharing the fun of them with friends and family.  He remained active during his retirement with one of his favorite hobbies, operating a booth at a local flea market.

His guidance, love and presence will be deeply missed by his children, David Goettsch (Susan) of Rochester, MN, Andrew Goettsch of Eagan, MN, James Goettsch (Victoria) of Genoa City, WI and Sally Ladwig (David) of Kansas City, MO; his grandchildren, Michael, Jared, Aubrey, Keelan, Hannah, Jonathan and Andrew; and his loving partner of the last eight years, Geneva Wegener of Hollister.

LaVerne was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Emmajean; daughter-in-law Gail Goettsch; grandson Daniel Goettsch; brother Gilbert Goettsch; and sister Lorraine Dunn.

Services will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at the First Presbyterian Church in Branson.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday with funeral services to follow at 10:00 a.m. in the church.  LaVerne will be laid to rest with full military rites being accorded at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to Road Scholar, roadscholar.org, P. O. Box 56033, Boston, MA 02205-6033.

Services are in the care of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson. 

Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory

1638 East State Highway 76

Branson, Missouri 65616

Telephone – 417-334-3670

Fax – 417-336-3670