Iva Goergen was born on December 31, 1932, on the family farm northeast of Granville, Iowa the youngest of 12 children born to John Peter “Pete” and Catherine “Kate” Niichel Schwebach. She was Baptized, received her First Holy Communion, and was Confirmed all at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Granville. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1949.
On February 16, 1953, she and Raymond Goergen were married at St. Joseph Church. Following their marriage, they farmed northeast of Granville where their five children were born. In November 1959 they moved to a farm south of Garvin, MN on Lake Sarah. They joined IHM Church in Currie where Iva served on the parish council for several years.
She also was active with the Currie American Legion Auxiliary, and the Lake Sarah Extension Club. In 1984 Ray retired and they moved to a home on Lake Sarah. Iva worked as a PARA in the Special Education Department of the Tracy School. She also worked part time for Public Health in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, and Pipestone Counties doing in home health care. She retired in 1995 but not for long. In 1996 she became the Murray County Coordinator for R.S.V.P. and held that position until retiring in 1999.
In 2003 they moved to Slayton and became members of St. Ann’s Church where she was active in the Catholic Daughters of America and St. Ann’s Card Club. She also was a member of the Slayton VFW Auxiliary. In July 2014 they moved to Marshall, MN. Ray passed away on April 11, 2018. In April 2022 Iva moved to the Boulder Creek Assisted Living in Marshall. She passed away there on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at the age of 91. Iva loved to crochet and knit. She made a baby blanket for each of her 16 grandchildren and later their children.
Iva enjoyed spending time with her family, playing cards and doing word games.
Survivors include her five children and their spouses, Susan and Don Blair of Spirit Lake, IA, Alan and Karen Goergen of Marshall, MN, Duane Goergen and DeAnna Olson of Garvin, MN, Cary and Judie Goergen of Alexandria, MN, and Sandy and Del Anderson of Garvin, MN, 16 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren with one on the way this September, three great-great-grandchildren and one sister-in-law, Delores Schwebach of Remsen, IA.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ray, three infant siblings, and eight sibling and their spouses, William and Mildred Schwebach, John and Leona Schwebach, Henry Schwebach, Rosalia Schwebach, Catherine and Clarence Stallman, Esther and Ray Ollendick, Maryan and Art Steichen and Alvina and Ray Berning.
Funeral services were at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton, MN on Monday, June 10, 2024, with Fr. Tojy Jose OFM officiating. The organist was Sharon Lais. The song leader was Sheila Crowley. The pallbearers were Josh Goergen, Nathan Goergen, Heath Johnson, Nick Ousky, Brett Anderson, and Kevin Bristow. Interment was at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Slayton, MN.
Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com