Edward Theodore Goracke (Ed T.) was born October 17, 1918 in Hope, Kansas to Theodore and Hattie (Pella) Goracke, the oldest of five children. He was a life-long member of St. Mary Parish, St. Mary, Nebraska. Ed married Gertrude (Gertie) Puchalla at the St. Mary Catholic Church on June 22, 1948. Ed and Gertie raised six children on the family farm. They moved to their home in St. Mary in 1971. Gertie died on May 26, 1998, one month before they could celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Ed was a lifetime farmer. He served in the Army during World War II state-side. After an honorable discharge, Ed returned to the family farm, which he worked until his retirement in 1993. He also worked at the Farmer’s Co-op Elevator in St. Mary and Burr, NE after moving to St. Mary. Ed continued to live in his home in St. Mary until moving to The Windcrest on Van Dorn Assisted Living in Lincoln in December 2010 until his death on June 30, 2011.

Survivors are daughters and spouses, Susan and Jim Clark, Idaho Falls, ID; Theresa and Paul Schmit, Steinauer, Cathy and Marc Gillette and Jane and Dan Dougherty all of Lincoln, sons and spouses, Joe and Suzie Goracke, Sterling and Ralph and Christine Goracke, Punta Gorda, FL; grandchildren, Jodi and Steve Bright, Jeff and Lauren Clark, Jon and Jolene Clark, Stefanie and Ryan Gottula, Julie and Erik France, Brian and Corinne Goracke, Steve and Kim Goracke, Pat Goracke, Cole Goracke, Amanda Wellington, Sara Schmidt, Jonathan Schmidt, Holli Gillette, Whitney and Marty Brunswick, Taylor Gillette, Erin, Alexis and Katelyn Dougherty, 13 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Roy and Millie Puchalla, Waverly, sister-in-law Vivian Puchalla, Tecumseh, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Ed was preceded in death by parents; wife Gertie; sisters and brothers-in-law Alma and Joe Johnson; Dorothy and John Allee; brother and sister-in-law Gilbert and Emily; brother Eugene; step-father Art Tuxhorn and several members of the Puchalla family.

Funeral services will be held at the St. Mary Catholic Church in St. Mary, at 3:30 p.m. Sat. July 2, 2011. Rosary will be recited at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Friday, July 1st at 7:00 p.m.

Visitation will be at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Interment will be in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, St. Mary, with full military honors. Memorials to the family’s choice in care of Wherry Mortuary, 202 N. 3rd Street, Tecumseh, NE 68450.

To the wonderful staff and residents of The Windcrest, Ed’s family thanks you for welcoming and befriending him. The kindness, compassion and friendship you extended to him and to his family are cherished more than we can express. To HoriSun Hospice, thank you for the guidance, comfort and reassurance to Ed and to his family during this time in our lives.