Mary Beth Goeser

Mary Beth Goeser, 57, loving wife and devoted mother, was born into eternal life on November 8th, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. Her departure leaves behind an unfillable void, yet her childlike faith, joyful spirit, and boundless creativity continue to inspire all who know and love her.
Mary Beth was born in Harlan, Iowa on January 16th, 1968 to Bob and Karole Anastasi and was raised with her three sisters, Laurie, Anne, and Bobbi. Her childhood was vibrant and busy- from gymnastics and swim team to horseback riding and golf, she embraced life with an energy and enthusiasm that remained with her throughout her life.
At Harlan High's Junior prom, Mary Beth began dating her sweetheart, Jay Goeser. As she put it in her journal, "I can tell we were meant to be, I hope we go out forever!" Together, Jay and Mary Beth attended The University of Iowa where she studied nursing. They were married on November 23, 1990 in their hometown at Saint Michael's Catholic Church and moved to Paducah, Kentucky where Mary Beth worked as a pediatric nurse at Western Baptist Hospital. Her compassion and gift for caring for others led her to continue her nursing career at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, and later to serve as a Diabetes Educator with Medtronic. She found deep purpose in using her own experience with type one diabetes to improve patients' lives.
Jay and Mary Beth spent 34 years building a beautiful, faith-filled life. They welcomed three daughters into the world; Ana, Alexi, and Abi and survived the heart wrenching loss of their Alexi at 15 months old. Together they raised their children, delighted in their grandchildren, traveled near and far, played hundreds of golf games, poured into their community, invested in creative projects, and ultimately desired to know and love the Lord. Even in seasons of suffering, Mary Beth was still a light and found ways to love others despite her pain.
She is survived by her husband, Jay; daughters, Ana (Mitchell) Woods and Abi Goeser; grandchildren, Shepherd, Maria, Henry, and Eloise; father, Bob Anastasi; and sisters, Laurie (Brian) Salz, Anne (Larry) Kintner, and Bobbi (Kevin) Maher. She is preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Alexi and mother, Karole Anastasi.
The family will receive friends 4pm-7pm Wednesday, November 12th at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Norwalk where a Vigil Service will begin at 7pm. Mass of Christian Burial will begin 10:30 am Thursday, November 13th at the church. Burial will follow at Linn Grove Cemetery. There will be a livestream of the funeral service on Mary Beth's obituary page located at www.IlesCares.com. The livestream will be available at 10:15 am Thursday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family to be used for Mary Beth's vision of using the farm for prayer, healing and renewal. (https://account.venmo.com/u/Jay-Goeser)
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