Jacquelynn Kay Goettsch

Jacquelynn K. Goettsch was born in Cherokee, IA, on March 7, 1946, the first child born to Murlen and Florence (Delperdang) Goettsch. She was raised on the family farm between Holstein and Galva Iowa. 

A memorial service will be 10:30 am Thursday, November 7, 2024, at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel, 1801 Morningside Ave., with burial in Calvary Cemetery in Holstein, IA.

As a young girl, she belonged to two 4-H clubs, Pens of Five, and enjoyed grooming and showing cattle. She accompanied her family on trips in the family plane and continued to enjoy flying and traveling throughout her life.

She graduated from Holstein Community High School and continued her education at St. Vincent School of Nursing, Sioux City, IA. She became a licensed RN in 1967 then began work at St. Vincent Hospital in the Obstetric area, worked in Labor/Delivery department, and taught prenatal and continuing education classes. In 1977, she became part of the nursing management team with the merger of St. Vincent and St. Joseph hospitals. She helped develop the Family Birthing Unit and became an advocate and conference speaker of this then new concept. She continued as the Assistant Supervisor then became the Supervisor of the Obstetric/Gynecology department for 15 years. She was active in the Nurses Assoc. of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. She received her Bachelor of Science from Westmar College in 1986 and In-patient Certification from the NAACOG Corp. in 1989. In July of that year, Jacque assisted the emergency department in receiving victims from the crash of flight 232. She also appeared in the movie that was produced about the plane crash and recovery of victims. She cared for mothers and babies at Mercy Hospital for over 37 years. She then worked at Indian Hills Nsg/Rehab for five years providing long term care. She thoroughly loved her nursing career. After retirement, she took Hospice volunteer classes and in February 2011, fulfilled her lifelong need continuing to help others until 2019.

She was a member of the St. Vincent Alumni Assoc., the American Legion Auxiliary, Galva, Iowa, and past member in the Sun Valley Tuesday Golf Club.

Jacque also became a member of the All American Band in 1994. She played saxophone and enjoyed all genres of music. The band played at many memorable events including the opening of the Meredith Wilson Pavilion in Mason City, two campaign events for President Bush, concerts with composers Warren Barker and James Curnow at the Church of Edina in Minneapolis, at the Shrine temple in Cedar Falls, and for the return of the Memory flights and others.

She was crazy about cats! Jacque was a past member and officer of the Siouxland Cat Fancier’s and the National Cat Fancier’s Association. She helped to plan and set up for past local shows. She showed her purebred Scottish Fold and Persian cats at CFA shows in five states.

Christmas was her biggest hobby. Every room of her home was decorated in a theme. She always welcomed many relatives, neighbors, and friends to share the season. Some of her collections were over 300 nutcrackers, over 60 nativity scenes, and 3 large villages. 

Jacque was baptized and confirmed Catholic. She was a member of Mater- Dei Nativity Church. She assisted in the liturgies as lector and Eucharistic minister.

She is survived by six siblings, Paul (Carol) Goettsch, Yankton, SD, Margaret (Cal) Steffen, Minneapolis, MN, Kathy Goettsch-Krueger, Minneapolis, MN, Dale (Ellen) Goettsch, Burnsville, MN, Tom (Jan) Goettsch, Galva, IA, and Brian (Barnie) Goettsch, Galva, IA; many nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; and a niece, Anne Elizabeth Goettsch.