John Goetsch, 96, of Mukwonago, passed away on February 9, 2021.

John was a lot of amazing things, a husband, father, grandfather and friend.

He was the hardest working man, who farmed to the age of 96, not because he needed to but because he loved to. He loved showing off the crops on long drives down back roads. If he caught you drifting off, he took enormous pleasure in grabbing your knee to startle you back into the moment.

John was born in Mukwonago, right on Fox street, in 1924.  His family later moved to Honey Creek where they lived on a farm. He attended high school at the Ag school in Rochester where he met the love of his life Patricia Morrow,  they were married in 1947.  With a choice of moving to Nebraska to continue farming or staying in the area and working at Trent Tube the choice was made to stay. While Trent was his main job he could also be found working at Mohrs Standard Station, driving bus for Hanks Transportation, or maybe even at Dewey's Lawn and Marine repairing small engines.  After retiring from Trent, John could be found out at Bolton farms working the land again, his true passion.

He created a million moments of joy around the kitchen table, whether it was at one of his famous pancake breakfasts, a fish fry, or drinking coffee and playing cribbage every morning (except Mondays, those were for coffee with the boys).

Family was so important to him and he will be missed immeasurably by his six children: Scott, Crystal, Holly, Jill, Kari, and Kurt. His 11 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and even a great-great-grandchild. He loved to watch his family gather, and laugh, and drink his famous old fashioneds. When his wife of 69 years, Patricia, passed, he took up the mantle of making sure there were always fresh cookies so that piece of her legacy wouldn’t be missed.

John’s family is heartbroken at the loss of him, but know their lives were made better because he was theirs. They will not be afraid to openly cry when their hearts are overwhelmed, because they inherited that trait from him. 

A memorial service will be set in spring when the land awakens from its long winter nap.