Ruth Goetze

Obituary

Ruth (Czichun) Goetze was born on November 11, 1936, in Germany. Her family resided in Boppard next to the Reine River. She was the daughter of Alfred and Margarete (Schwetzler) Czichun. Ruth was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in her faith as a youth in Germany. She received her education in Germany. She continued her education in Germany and earned a degree in Nursing. She had enough schooling in Germany to be a doctor here in the United States.

In 1958, Ruth moved from Germany to the United States via a boat. She lived for a number of years in the East Union and Jordan, Minnesota area, and later in the Staples and Bertha, Minnesota area. From 1979 to 1981, she lived in Missouri before moving in 1981 to a farm near Hamburg, Minnesota. It was there she made her forever home.

While living near Hamburg, she attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in Norwood Young America, Minnesota. After moving to Grand Meadows Senior Living in Glencoe, Minnesota, she loved attending the church services they held there.

Ruth devoted many years to her work as a nurse, known for her strong work ethic and dedication to those in her care. She served with an ambulance service as an EMT and trauma nurse, further extending her commitment to helping others. Over the course of her career, she held positions at Oak Terrace in Gaylord, Minnesota, and the Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine, Minnesota, and served as the Director of Nursing for a number of years at the Nightingale Nursing Home, now known as New Perspective Senior Living in Waconia, Minnesota. Her retirement in 2005 was a difficult transition, as she truly loved her work and the people she served.

Ruth loved life on her hobby farm, where she took great joy in tending to her flower beds and admiring the beautiful oak trees surrounding her home, which inspired the name of her farm, “21 Oaks.” Caring for her animals brought her happiness, especially her cats, dogs, and cows, with a special fondness for her favorite cow, Mandy. She also enjoyed watching the History Channel on television. Ruth greatly cherished the time she spent with her family.

Ruth passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Grand Meadows Senior Living in Glencoe, at the age of 89 years, 4 months, and 9 days.
Blessed be her memory.

Ruth is survived by her
Children, Ronald Kraus (Betty) of Antioch, IL,
                Stephen Kraus (Dorene) of Stewart, MN,
                Kim Olson (John) of Norwood Young America, MN,
                Daniel Goetze (Rhonda) of Glencoe, MN;
Grandchildren, Meggan Herr, Valerie Korstanje, Steven Kraus, Kevin Kraus, Tyler (Samantha) Droger, John Olson, Ronald (Marissa) Kraus, John Kraus, Brandon Zellmann, Danny Zellmann (Dakota), Mikaylin Goetze, Daytona Goetze (Braycen);
Great-grandchildren, Jackson, Jameson, Kinley, Everhett, Lincoln, Winter Aria, Huntterjohn, Josephine, Gavin, Kelsey, Katelynn, Kyle, Colin, Cayden, Alyssa;
Sister, Helga Riels of TX;
Nieces, Nephews, Other Relatives, and Friends.

Ruth was preceded in death by her father and mother, Alfred and Margarete Czichun; Grandson, Daryl Kraus; Brothers, Hans-Heinrich Czichun and Manfred Czichun.