Lenore Goetz, 96, Hays, died Monday, September 26, 2022, at Downs Care and Rehab.
She was born November 28, 1925, in Robinson, Illinois, the daughter of Roy and Ica Mae (Roe) Watts. She was a graduate of Russell High School and earned a business degree from Brown Mackie College. For more than 50 years, Lenore enjoyed and was devoted to her career as office manager and bookkeeper for Bill Aubel. On November 6, 1948, she was united in marriage to Elmer C. Goetz at St. Joseph Church in Hays, and they celebrated nearly 62 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on July 23, 2010.
Her memberships included Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, a 50-year member of the Daughters of Isabella Circle #254, Hays VFW Auxiliary, and Beta Sigma Phi. Lenore enjoyed doing crossword and word search puzzles, possessed a strong faith, and loved her family and friends.
Survivors include her daughter: Cathy Goetz of Hays, two sisters: Louise Szeles of Indianapolis, IN and Berniece Buchanan of Lawrenceville, IL, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Elmer, a son: John Goetz, one brother: Eugene Watts, and two sisters: Mary Ethel Thompson and Dorothy Lance.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, September 30, 2022, with Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A combined Daughters of Isabella and VFW Auxiliary rosary will be at 5:30 pm followed by a vigil service at 6:30, all on Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to Daughters of Isabella Circle #254 or to the Hays VFW Auxiliary. Condolences and memories of Lenore may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com