Connie Lee Goetz

SERVICE PHOTOS
Connie Lee Goetz, 82, of Bowdle, died Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Bowdle Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bowdle, led by Pastor Janet Sandmeier. Interment will follow at Redeemer Lutheran Church Cemetery, Bowdle. Organist will be Eilleen Eisenbeisz and congregational hymns are "In the Garden", "Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound, "On Eagle's Wings", and "What a Friend We have in Jesus". Ushers will be Stan Zimmer and Phillip Peterman.
Visitation will take place at Lien Funeral Home, Bowdle, on Wednesday, March 5, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present from 5:00 to 6:00 PM.
Connie Lee, the daughter of Gertrude (Bentz) and Otto Buechler, was born on June 26, 1942, in Bowdle. She grew up on the family farm four miles NW of Bowdle in Edmunds County. Her greatest loves were Jesus, family, and community. Her formal education included attending Buechler Rural School in Walworth County, Northwest Lutheran Academy in Mobridge, SD (Class of 1960), and Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education.
On July 18, 1965, Connie married Gaylon Goetz in Bowdle. They lived for one year in Mandan, ND, where Connie began her teaching career. The following year, they moved to Aberdeen, where Connie continued her teaching career in elementary schools. In 1978, the Goetz family relocated to Connie's childhood home. She spent two years as a second-grade teacher before working as a substitute teacher for several years. She later became Bowdle School's Title I instructor, helping students from kindergarten all the way up to high school students. Connie loved to teach; it was her true calling, and she dedicated her life to fostering a love of learning in her students. She retired from teaching in 2012 after a career spanning more than 38 years, during which she touched countless lives through her passion for education.
Connie's creativity and passion for education led her to establish an art program at Bowdle School and start the Buddy Reading Program, a summer initiative that she led with great dedication. She was also deeply involved in leading the Busy Bowdle Stars 4-H Club for many years. Additionally, Connie was instrumental in the creation and formation of the Bowdle Centennial and Quasi Centennial books, ensuring that the town's rich history was preserved for future generations.
Connie was known for her love of writing and poetry, a passion that she carried throughout her life. Even in retirement, she continued to share her creativity through her writing while staying deeply connected with her community, friends, and family. Following Gaylon's passing on January 27, 2017, Connie moved to Bowdle in 2018, where she embraced life surrounded by loved ones and remained engaged in the community.
Connie's funeral service will be livestreamed on the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page.
Connie is survived by her daughter, Selena Goetz of Aberdeen; her son, Jarrod Goetz of Aberdeen; her grandson, Ethan Goetz; her step-grandchildren, Kelsie and Kylie; and her step-great-grandchildren, Beau, Knox, and Barrett.
In addition to Gaylon, she was preceded in death by her mother, Gertrude, on October 22, 1999; and her father, Otto, on March 2, 2014.
Honorary bearers will be Maxine White, Stella Buechler, Jan Schock, Rita Huber, Marcella Walz, Doris Heilman, and Stacy Huber, all of Bowdle.
Casket bearers will be her nephews Justin Goetz of Mandan; Travis Goetz, Matthew Goetz, Michael Goetz, and Steven Goetz of Aberdeen; and her beloved grandson, Ethan Goetz of Aberdeen.
Services are in care of Lien Funeral Home, Bowdle.