Jack Lee Goettsche

Jack Lee Goettsche, 79, of Wayne, formerly of St. Paul, passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Providence Medical Center in Wayne, Nebraska.

Jack was born on August 13, 1945, to Herbert and Florence (Nelson) Goettsche in St. Paul. He received his education at St. Paul High School.  Jack entered the U.S. Navy on October 9, 1962, and was discharged on November 23, 1965. During his service, he was stationed at the U.S. Naval Station in Newport, Rhode Island, for nearly three years, where he served as a Boatswain’s Mate Trainee.  He was united in marriage to Peggy Aye of St. Paul, and the couple had two children: Corey and Keri.

Jack worked for the Union Pacific Railroad with his brother, Roger Goettsche. He later took a position with Case New Holland in Grand Island before owning and operating his own trucking business for ten years. After that, he dedicated 25 years to Dahlsten Trucking, earning three prestigious one-million-mileage pins. He then moved to Denver, Colorado, where he continued his career with McLane Trucking for several years. Ultimately, he returned to St. Paul and Grand Island to rejoin Dahlsten Trucking, further solidifying his commitment to the industry. Later, Jack moved to Omaha, where he retired due to health issues. He spent the last years of his life in Laurel, NE.

Jack always looked sharp. He ironed his clothes and kept everything neat and clean. He enjoyed watching sports, particularly Husker football. He liked going to Fonner Park for the horse races, playing Keno, and sipping Jack and Coke. On Saturdays, you could find him polishing his truck, working on his tan, and placing bets on football games. He often listened to Glen Campbell and Willie Nelson while drinking a cold Budweiser and smoking Marlboros.

Those left to cherish his memory include his son, Corey (JoHanna) Goettsche of Lincoln; daughter, Keri Goettsche of Aurora; granddaughter, Anna Goettsche; siblings, Roger (Barb) Goettsche of St. Paul, Rick (Linda) Goettsche of St. Paul, Pam (Bob) Nielsen of St. Paul, Todd Goettsche of St. Paul, Shellie Yax (Tom McCleery) of Grand Island; nieces and nephews, Shannon Bond, Roger and Erin Goettsche, Tony and Becca Goettsche, Sarah Goettsche, Ashlie and Brian Peters, Jon and Alison Nielsen, Jason Hatt,  Jared and Cortney Nielsen, David Hatt, Misti Kelly (Pat), and Michael (Jackie) Yax; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Herb and Florence Goettsche; grandparents, William and Mini Goettsche, Gus and Louise Nelson, and several aunts and uncles.

Graveside Services with military honors will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul.  A gathering of family greeting friends will follow from 4:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. on Saturday at Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date.