Mary Agnes Goracke

  Mary Agnes (Lempka) Goracke, 90, of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, passed away on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at her home surrounded by her family. Mary was born on April 30, 1928 in a farmhouse near St. Mary, Nebraska, to Ralph and Victoria (Pientka) Lempka. She attended St. Mary School. Mary received her First Communion and Confirmation at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. On April 19, 1949, Mary married Norm Goracke and moved to Lincoln where she worked at Russell Stover Candies. Upon Norm’s graduation from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the couple moved to Lexington, Nebraska and then full time to Johnson Lake in 1979. Mary sewed and sold custom draperies out of her home for many years. She was very active, along with her husband, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, School and Alter Society. Mary loved attending athletic events of her children and grandchildren. She was also a big Husker fan. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, playing bridge, gardening, canning, cooking, traveling and camping. Mary and Norm spent their winters with their eldest son, Steve, in Arizona. Mary took great pride in her eighteen grandchildren and forty-one great-grandchildren, who lovingly called her G.G. She was blessed to also have three great-great-grandchildren. She loved spending time with them and teaching them to sew, can, cook as well as many other things. Norm and Mary worked side by side, remodeling and selling homes in Lexington and Johnson Lake. Many fun memories were made at Johnson Lake with family and friends. After Norm’s death in 1998, Mary was cared for by Vicki and Lupe Bliven family, her other children, especially Judy and special friend, Trish Mooberry. Mary is survived by her children, Steve (Kay) Goracke of Queen Creek, Arizona, Deb (Mark) Wortman of Elkhorn, Nebraska, Doug (Judy) Goracke of Red Oak, Iowa, Vicki (Lupe) Bliven of Johnson Lake, Nebraska and Mike Goracke of Johnson Lake, Nebraska and his special friend (Carol Hinrich) of Lexington, Nebraska; Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren, Jeff (Michelle) Goracke and their children Carmen and Reagan of Scottsdale, Arizona, Jason (Heather) Goracke and their children Evens, Brayden and Joey of San Diego, California, Jill Goracke and her children Katelin and Brian of Queen Creek, Arizona, Jennifer Waldo and her children Noah and Magdah of Elkhorn, Nebraska, Sarah (Jesse) Demmel and their children Mackenzie, Grace and Luke of Niwot, Colorado, Megan (Brent) Boyer and their children Avery and Brynn of Silverthorne, Colorado, Mandy (Dave) Cohara and their children Sadie and Josie of Westminster, Colorado, Paul (Maribel) Goracke and their children Anthony and Scarlett of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Lynn (Cody) Sabey and their children Olive and Jace of Wymore, Nebraska, Matthew Goracke of Neligh, Nebraska, Michael (Jessica) Bliven and their children Terrence and Freya of Lexington, Nebraska, Rachel Bliven and her children Robert and Victoria of Elwood, Nebraska, Tess (Chad) Bayne and their children Maryn, Deacon and Kian of Grand Island, Nebraska, Mary Kate Bliven and her children Tyce and Bianca of Kearney, Nebraska, Scott (Deanna) Bartels and their children Katie, Adanna, Karissa and Aliya of Lincoln, Nebraska, Michele (Scott) Bartels of Lincoln, Nebraska and their children Heather, Alec and Brandon of Lincoln, Nebraska and Kelley (Pieter) Grobler and their children Parker, Olivia and Ava of Waco, Nebraska, Bernie (Marla) Paden and their children Zachary and Caleb of Columbus, Nebraska and Mike (Crystal) Paden and their children Bailey and Cohen of Newcastle, Nebraska; one sister, Betty Putnam of Lincoln, Nebraska; sisters-in-law, Mary Lempka of Tecumseh, Nebraska and Lavina Goracke of Omaha, Nebraska; brothers-in-law: Clarence (Marion) Goracke of Oakland, Nebraska and Virgil (Linda) Goracke of Omaha, Nebraska; as well as nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Norm; daughter-in-law, Kathy; four sisters, three brothers, five brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law. Mass Of Christian Burial will be on Monday, October 22, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church with Father Matt Koperski, officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 21, 2018 from 6-7 p.m. with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington. Burial will be in St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com