Obituary of Iona Hazel Goertz

GOERTZ, Iona (Neufeld/ nee Tranter)

Aug 20, 1932 - Feb 4, 2008.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Iona Goertz of Cranbrook, B.C., at the age of 75, after many years of courageously battling cancer. Iona has gone to be with her Lord for eternity.

Iona grew up, was married and raised her sons in the Swift Current, SK area and was a loving and hard-working wife and mother. She moved to Creston, B.C., in 1981, where she lived until John's passing. She moved back to Swift Current for 3 years, and then met Ray Goertz and married him in 1993. Ray and Iona made Cranbrook, B.C., their home where they enjoyed friendships and retirement. Iona greatly loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and many memories were made as family took vacations together to Waskeisu Lake, SK, Pigeon Lake, AB and even a trip to Grand Cayman Island. She loved quilting, and family and friends were the recipients of hours of creative energy spent in her sewing room. She also loved playing games as well as making wonderful meals and goodies in the kitchen. In Cranbrook, Creston, and Swift Current, she was a devoted member of local churches and served in many ways. Iona's sons and their families would like to extend their sincere appreciation and love to Ray for his compassionate and loving care of their mom as her health declined in the past years.

She will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her husband of 14 years, Ray Goertz, her sons and their families; Bernadette Neufeld (Wayne deceased) and her children Lyndsy and Graeme (Moose Jaw, SK), Rod (Bonnie) Neufeld and their children Scott and Nicole (Saskatoon, SK); Stan (Eva) Neufeld and their children Colin, Mitchell and Tatum (Pigeon Lake, AB); Dan (Shauna) Neufeld and their children Camille, Matthew and Nicholas (Saskatoon, SK), and Karl (Jocelyne) Neufeld and their children Regan and Shane (Squamish, BC). She also leaves to mourn her sister Helen (Syl) Hagen (Swift Current, SK); Ray's family; Steve (Lynn) Goertz (Kelowna, BC), Terry (Pat) Goertz (Vernon, BC), Debbie (John) Guay (Calgary, AB), Rick Goertz (Edmonton, AB) and many other family members and friends.

Iona was predeceased by her father and mother, Fred and Bertha Tranter; her first husband of 36 years, John Neufeld; and her oldest son, Wayne Neufeld.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the many doctors, nurses, lab technicians and others of the Cranbrook Hospital and Calgary Foothills Hospital who cared for Iona. In lieu of flowers, Iona's family requests that, in her memory, donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Iona's life will be celebrated at Cranbrook Alliance Church on February 9, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be held on February 8, 2008 7-9 p.m. at McPherson's Funeral Chapel.