Victor E. Goerl

Victor E. Goerl, 95, of Grand Island, died Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, at Bickford of Grand Island.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Libory’s Catholic Church in St. Libory. The Rev. Sidney B. Bruggeman will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at the Calvary Cemetery in Clarks.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, with a 7 p.m. Rosary.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Victor was born on Dec. 9, 1926, on the family farm near Clarks, the son of Fredrick “Fritz” and Anna (Reichel) Goerl. He received his education at District No. 25 and District No. 15 rural schools near Clarks. He then farmed with his parents. In the Spring of 1944, he moved to Grand Island.

He met Ellen Horst through a neighbor and they were married on Nov. 6, 1949, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Grand Island. In 1951, the couple moved to a farm north of St. Libory, where they farmed and raised their family. Victor was well known for his purebred Hampshire boars. The family also grew watermelons. He retired from farming in 1981 and eventually settled near Grand Island.

Victor loved little children, polka music and going to auctions. He enjoyed being undefeated in arm wrestling at the Silver Dollar Bar in Grand Island. He was dedicated to his family and was a hardworking man.

He is survived by his children and spouses, Barb and Jerry Sack of St. Paul, Pat and John Epp of Grand Island, Mike Goerl of Grand Island, Linda and Rick Goettsche of St. Paul, Kevin and Margaret Goerl of Grand Island, Dan and Kristi Goerl of Gainesville, VA, Lisa and Charlie Asche of Grand Island and Keith and Kendra Goerl of Valparaiso, IN; 28 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; former wife, Ellen Goerl; infant daughter, Mary Ellen Goerl; great-granddaughter, Kailey Mae Epp; son-in-law, Steve Simonds; grandson-in-law, Joel Langan; brothers and sisters-in-law, George and Gertrude Goerl and Ernst and Irma Goerl; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and Ted Beck, Agnes and Henry Schultz and Rita and Alfred Sweet.