Catherine Goetler

Catherine M. Goetler, a loving mother, compassionate friend, and supportive pillar of her community, passed away on July 30, 2025, just shy of her 89th birthday. Born on September 23, 1936, in Atchison, Kansas, Catherine spent most of her life in Rockton, IL, where she was affectionately known as "Nana" to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of friends. Her wit, charm, and unwavering care for others left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

Catherine, a homemaker by profession, was the cornerstone of her family, nurturing her relationships with the same dedication and detail she poured into her beloved hobbies. She crafted beautiful ceramics, lovingly made porcelain dolls, and found joy in a range of other crafting projects. Her love for helping others shone through her volunteer work as a Blue Bird at Fair Oaks Nursing Center and with Meals on Wheels. She also cherished the simple pleasures of life, such as fishing with her late husband, Fred, whom she married on March 21, 1957. Catherine's unwavering faith was the compass that guided her through life, and she was an active member of her local church.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Willowick in Clinton, WI for their compassionate care of Fred and Cathy over the past two years. We are also deeply grateful to Heartland Hospice for their support, as well as to friends Laura and Steve Johnson, and Pastor Stein for their thoughtful visits.

Catherine's enduring legacy is carried on by her devoted daughters, Cherie (Neal) Dollinger and Sharon (Dave) Goode, her loving son Gerald (Pam) Goetler, and her dear sister, Geraldine (Jerry) Thomas. She will be fondly remembered by her grandchildren, Evan (Ricci) Goetler, Hannah Goetler, Joshua Dollinger, Kali (Matt) Gray, and Nick (CeCe) Goode, and her great-grandchildren, Jaxon and Kolton Dollinger. Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, James and Lillie Raybern, her husband, Frederick Goetler, and her siblings, Lorene, Elsie, Veda, Virginia, Susan, Charles, Jake, Gerald, Clyde, Sharon, and Donna.

A Funeral Ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 15, 2025 in St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 511 W. Rockton Rd., Rockton, IL with Reverend Don Stein officiating. A visitation will be held at church from 9:00 a.m. until time of service on Friday.

To view the livestream of Catherine's Funeral Ceremony and Committal Ceremony, please visit https://mccorklefuneralhome.com/obituaries/frederick-goetler. We will have the video on Catherine's memorial page as well after ceremonies have been completed.

Catherine Goetler's life was a testament of unwavering love, compassion, and resilience. She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched. We invite you to share your memories, stories, and photos on Catherine's memorial page as a tribute to her life and the joy she brought to ours.