Gary "Tumbleweed" Alan Goettsch

Gary “Tumbleweed” Alan Goettsch, the son of Arlen and Gerane (Camarigg) Goettsch was born October 20, 1954 in Cherokee, IA. His childhood years were spent in the Holstein, IA, where he attended school and graduated from Holstein High School in 1972. Gary married Kim Hoops, they later divorced. He moved to Hartley, IA in 2001 and married Karen, they later divorced. Gary worked as a trucker all of his adult life, trucking for Jolly Time Popcorn for close to 30 years and then for what’s now Ag State for 15 years, until his retirement in 2020. He moved to Sutherland, IA in 2019.

Gary enjoyed making outdoor décor with his plasma cutter, mowing his yard, trucking, and his favorite beverage, Budweiser. He liked to watch Gunsmoke and play Cribbage. In his younger years, Gary enjoyed showing calves in 4-H. He was also proud of being named to the Maple Valley All Conference Team his junior and senior year of high school.

Gary passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at Unity Point Health – St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City, IA, at the age of 69. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Left to cherish his memory are his 3 children, Zach Goettsch of Sutherland, IA, Katelyn Goettsch of Nevada, IA, and Kristen Goettsch of Akron, OH; 4 grandchildren, Riley, Kegan, Cashton, and Zoey; one sister, Cathy (Jim) Loof of Holstein, IA; one niece, Michelle of Battle Creek, IA; other relatives; and many friends.