Walter E. Goehner

Walter E. Goehner was born July 3, 1929, in Monango, ND. He passed away September 24, 2014, in East Wenatchee, WA. He was born to Fred and Christina Goehner of Beresina, Besserabia, Russia, and was the youngest of ten children. Walt moved with his family to the Wenatchee Valley in 1937, and later attended Dryden High School. On July 30, 1949, he married Alvina Schadler. The two continued to live in Dryden for the entirety of their 60 years of marriage. Walt's life changed forever at the age of 24, when he decided to follow Christ. He was a passionate advocate for his faith by leading a local King's Teens Club, active involvement in the Dryden Community Church and engaging virtually everyone he met in conversation. Through Walt's different occupations, from selling cars and delivering gas around the Valley to farming and managing a Standard Oil bulk plant, his desire for others to know the Lord was his true vocation. This pastoral calling shaped the activities that defined his later years. With the strong support of Alvina, he planted two churches in Entiat and East Wenatchee, served on staff at Leavenworth Church of the Nazarene, and supplied many pulpits around the area. He was active in Christian Businessmen's Committee and traveled for the Evangelical Church as an evangelist. Walt's love for people found him always on the go, as he capitalized on his gift of socializing and sharing the Gospel over a cup of coffee. He enjoyed Southern Gospel music and sang with his brothers in the "Goehner Quartet"- even performing on local radio. He loved his family and was a dedicated fixture at sporting events, musical recitals and other activities. After losing Alvina in 2009, Walt found love again with Shirley Lutz. The two married on October 16, 2010, and enjoyed spending time with each other's families, traveling around the Valley, and to Alaska and the Oregon Coast. Walt was preceded in death by his first wife, Alvina; his parents; seven siblings; and one grandchild. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; sisters, Ida Radach and Edna Weedman; one brother-in-law, Marvin (Stella) Schadler; one sister-in-law, Lorene Bischoff; children, Noni (Bill) Forsberg, Keith (Lisa) Goehner, and Dwight (Carol) Goehner; stepchildren, Lorinda (Lee) Carlson, Jeff (Mollie) Lutz, and Craig (Cynthia) Lutz; grandchildren, Jeff (Diana) Forsberg, Jeremy (Ronda) Forsberg, Jon (Jennifer) Forsberg, Brendan (Tiffany) Goehner, Heidi (Josh) Hill, Benj Goehner, Christina Goehner-Robles, and Chris Goehner; eight step-grandchildren; and he was 'Opa' to 14 great-grandchildren, and 14 step-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. A Graveside Service will be held Monday, September 29, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. at the Cashmere Cemetery. A Memorial Service will follow at the Wenatchee Free Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. Viewing will be held Sunday, September 28, 2014, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Warm Beach Conference Center. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Walter E. Goehner

July 3, 1929 - September 24, 2014