Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Harlan Goetsch served in the U.S. Merchant Marines
Harlan Goetsch flashes a smile last August after being acknowledged and honored for his service to the nation's Air Command and Merchant Marines during World War II.
Harlan Goetsch, of Hartley, traveled across the globe while serving in the Merchant Marines from 1944-46.
The last World War II veteran in Hartley died on May 9 at the age of 101.
Harlan Goetsch served in the U.S. Merchant Marines from 1944-1946. According to an interview with the Sentinel-News last year on his 100th birthday, Goetsch's travels during World War II took him all over the globe; however, Alaska remained his favorite place.
"I'm just an ordinary man who has tried to live an ordinary life," he said. "I'm nothing special."
Local residents may beg to differ. Goetsch was a well-known staple in Hartley and remained in his home even after hitting triple digits, only recently moving to Community Memorial Assisted Living and later Senior Care in Sheldon. He was an avid golfer and was often seen cruising around town in his Chevy S10 pickup.
Howard Borchard served as the curator of the military display at the Patch-Eeten House Museum for the past decade. Of the almost 100 WWII veterans whose photos line the walls there, Goetsch was the last one alive.
"He was a great guy. I've known him for 70 years," Borchard said. "It's just us old Korean War guys alive now, and we're in our nineties."
Prior to his World War II service, Goetsch graduated from Paullina High School in 1940 and enrolled in radio school at Omaha, Neb. From there, he went on to the Boeing School of Aeronautics, Navigation and Meteorology in California.
Goetsch then joined the Air Transport Command at Seattle, Wash. His initial flights took him across the country to New York, Philadelphia and Chicago, but eventually he was on crews that flew to Australia and Alaska.
After the Air Transport Command disbanded, Goetsch was contacted by the U.S. Merchant Marines to be a radio operator. He didn't dawdle, and was aboard a ship the following day as an ensign.
Goetsch returned to Hartley in the fall of 1946 and met a new teacher at the school, Lorna Lucas. The pair married in 1948 and had two daughters, Susan and Nancy.
Goetsch worked in the farm implement business at The Goetsch Company. until it was sold in 1966. He then began selling insurance at Security State Bank, where he served as vice president until his retirement in 1993.
Visitation for Goetsch will be held on Sunday, May 19 at the Hartley Funeral Home from 3-5 p.m. His memorial service is planned for Monday, May 20 at Trinity United Church of Christ at 11 a.m.
