Erlene Mary Goertz

July 15, 1931 - November 26, 2007

A Tribute by Chris Meuth

I didn’t know her nearly as long as the old-timers in Rockne, but I did know her for a while as my religion teacher. She co-taught us with Mr. Cecil Martinez (12th grade). Our classes that year were very unique when compared to my other years of religious education. Mr. Martinez would read from the scriptures and explain the message from those readings to us for approximately half of the class. Ms. Erlene would use the remainder of the class time to put the scripture lessons into real life situations. What made this class special was that, Ms. Erlene would always share a story from her life to match the lesson. And believe me, she had a story for every lesson.

During the school year, Ms. Erlene became too sick to teach at the school. However, rather than miss our class, she decided to teach from home. So, every Wednesday we gathered at the home of Arthur and Erlene Goertz for class. Every Wednesday Ms. Erlene was cheerful, smiling, and full of stories to share. Every one of her stories were unique. As she told each one, her eyes lit up with joy, especially when Mr. Goertz was around to add to the stories. The lesson Ms. Erlene taught each of us in the class by her example: Live your life to the fullest and for the Lord and you will have no regrets. Ms. Erlene will truly be home for Christmas this year.

Erlene Hilbig Goertz, 76, retired reporter, of Rockne died Monday, November 26, 2007.

Excerpt taken from the Rockne History Book by Rev. Alois Goertz.
"A person in the Rockne Community who has done much for the home area is Erlene Goertz, the wife of Arthur Goetz. Erlene likes to call herself Rockne's Roving Reporter, the R.R.R. She has been reporting the local news for the past forty-two years (now 52 years) to such papers as the Bastrop Advertiser, the Smithville Times, the Austin American-Statesman, and the Catholic Spirit for the Austin Diocese. I want to commend Erlene for her dedicated service."

In another part of the book Rev. Goertz writes about the "WOW'S", Wonderful Older Women, formed by Erlene in April 1996. "They simply try to do nice things for the older members of the community such as remembering birthdays, visiting the sick and shut-ins, providing food for convalescing patients, sending encouraging notes and cards and being of help in whatever way they can." Rev. Goertz continues, "Since the formation of this group the lives of a number of people have been enriched by their presence." Editors note. It is the wish of Erlene that this group continues meeting.