Glen J. Goerdt

Glen Joseph Goerdt, 76, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025, in La Grange, Kentucky, surrounded by love and family.

Born on June 9, 1949, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, Glen was the sixth of eight children born to Harriet (Koopman) and Al Goerdt. At age three, his family relocated from Wendell, MN to Dyersville, Iowa, where he spent his formative years working on the family farm. Known as a precocious and sometimes slightly mischievous child, Glen had a spirit that couldn’t be contained—but one that always found purpose in hard work, service, and connection.

After graduating from Beckman High School in 1967, Glen enlisted in the United States Air Force. His military service took him from training in Tucson, Arizona, and Texas to assignments in Libya and in the Vietnam War. Upon returning home, he roamed the country with his beloved dog, Duchess, embracing a free-spirited chapter of life.

It was at his 29th birthday party that Glen met Marcia, the woman who would become his wife. They married in March 1983 and had two children, Alyssa and Alex. In 1988, the family moved to Bisbee, Arizona, a town that would become Glen’s cherished home for decades.

There, Glen returned to school and earned his degree in nursing—a career that became his true calling. He found deep purpose in caring for others and took pride in his role as a healer and advocate.

A gifted storyteller with an unforgettable sense of humor, Glen was known as an unofficial tour guide for Bisbee and southern Arizona, sharing history, quirks, and tales with anyone lucky enough to listen. In 2023, he moved to Kentucky to be closer to his daughter and grandchildren, where he found joy in regular visits, lively games of Connect 4 (which he frequently let them win), and being present in their lives.

Glen is survived by his sisters Inez (Dick) Bartlett and Jean (Chuck) Cecil; brothers Leon, Alan, and Russell Goerdt; his daughter Alyssa (Ernie) Rimer; and his beloved grandchildren, Layla and Max. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Eileen, his brother Earl, his nephew Mark, and his son Alex.

Glen will be remembered for his vast knowledge of history, his big heart, his service to others, and the countless stories he shared—each one a reminder of a life lived fully and on his own terms. His many friends around the world stand as a testament to a life well lived and deeply felt.

A service will be held at St. Francis Cemetery in Dyersville, Iowa, on August 8th at 11:00 a.m. Military honors will be presented in recognition of his service to the country.

The family extends special thanks to Hosparus Health for their compassionate care and support during Glen’s final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a mental health organization or a local charity in Glen’s memory.