Elizabeth T. “Betty” Goeckel, 88, of Hanover died Monday, April 27, 2026, at the Hanover Hospital in Hanover, Kansas.

Visitation was held Sunday, May 3, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Hanover Mortuary. A rosary service followed at 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Hanover.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 4, at St. John’s Catholic Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Father David Metz officiated. Janet Fritschi served as organist, and musical selections included “10,000 Reasons,” “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman,” “Jerusalem, My Destiny,” “Song of Farewell,” and “On Eagle’s Wings.”

Betty was born October 20, 1937, on the family farm near Hollenberg, Kansas. She was the daughter of John and Josephine (Mehring) Martin. She attended Limestone Schoolhouse and attended Catholic high school in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

On May 14, 1958, Betty was united in marriage to LaVearn Goeckel at St. John’s Catholic Church in Hanover, Kansas. This union was blessed with five children: Barb, Mark (Shorty), Randy, Denise, and Renea.

Betty was a homemaker and a farmwife. She worked at Ricky’s Café in Hanover for 47 years until her retirement. It was at Ricky’s where she created lifelong friendships and had all the regular’s orders memorized. She loved to go catering and help at all the events they worked. She loved cooking, baking, and working in her garden and her family and friends enjoyed this too!

Betty was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church and St. John’s Altar Society. She served as president and was on the Bazaar Committee for many years. She put her love of cooking and baking to good use as she was instrumental in putting together two church cookbooks. She was also a member of a Washington County extension unit for many years.

Betty was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her smile and sense of humor will be missed by many.

Preceding her in death were her parents, infant brother Bernard, sisters Joan Martin, Mary Goeckel, and brother Greg Martin, brother-in-law Leo Goeckel, and sons-in-law Mike Leseberg and Larry Kruse.

Survivors include her husband, LaVearn, daughters Barb Leseberg and Denise Kruse, Hanover, Renea Harrison, Salina, sons Mark (Sherrill) Goeckel, and Randy (Beth) Goeckel, Hanover. She is survived by 10 grandchildren: Megan (Cory) Kumpula, Andy Leseberg, Kyle (Miranda) Provost, Dylan (Brianne) Goeckel, Auston (Lauren) Goeckel, Brandon (Erin) Kruse, Lance (April) Kruse, Dusty (Kristin) Kruse, KaNesha Harrison, and Tierra Harrison. She is also survived by her 12 great grandchildren: Cambria Kumpula, Chloe and Waylon Provost, Simon, Collins, and Audrey Goeckel, Kenna and Lydia Kruse, Emalie and Marley Kruse, and Ben and Connor Kruse. Brothers: Jim (Vivian) Martin, Gene (Anita) Martin, Don (Susan) Martin, John (Jolene) Martin, and sister-in-law, Judy Martin, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial fund has been established to benefit St. John’s Catholic Church and other local organizations of the family’s choice. Contributions may be sent in care of Hanover Mortuary, c/o Kinsley Mortuary, P.O. Box 147, Marysville, KS 66508.