Karl Goeckeritz

Karl Heinz Goeckeritz, age 79, passed away peacefully at his home on April 2, 2015 in Holladay, Salt Lake County, Utah after a valiant battle with cancer.
He was born May 21, 1935 in Chemnitz, Germany to Karl Albert and Johanna Derr Goeckertiz. After he finished his schooling in East Germany, he worked as a machinist in an automobile factory. As a young adult he immigrated to the United States. After a short time in Pennsylvania, he moved to Utah making Salt Lake City his home. On June 22, 1962 he married Virginia Ann Gordon in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the proud parents of 7 children and 23 grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly.
Karl always had a strong work ethic, providing his children with many work opportunities. He was employed with Pembroke’s, followed by over 30 years with EIMAC Varian as a chemical technician. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, hiking, traveling, and gardening. He spent many hours with family and friends exploring the world around him. Karl had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many church callings. One of the longest and his most favorite was as an assistant Scout Master. Even after being released from that calling he continued to accompany the Scouts on camping trips. He was always serving others. His most recent service was as a worker in the Salt Lake Temple. He and his wife served two LDS missions to Germany which gave him great satisfaction and joy. For the first one, they were proselytizing in the Berlin, Germany Mission, and for the second one, they word as Family History specialists in the Europe Area Office in Frankfurt.
He is survived by his wife Virginia and his children: Jennifer (Al) Patino, Grant (Nora), Miriam (Kent) Bean. Wayne (Cheralyn), Marvin (Amy), Stephen, (Natalie), Alice (Brian) Berthelson. He is also survived by his two brothers and sisters-in-law: Harald and Lesley Goeckeritz, Ralf and Monika Goeckeritz.
Viewing will be held Friday, April 10, 2015 from 6-8 p.m. at the Holladay-Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 So. Highland Drive. Services will be held Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 11:00 AM, Holladay Stake Center, 4568 Holladay Blvd. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the services. Interment will be at Elysian Burial Gardens. Memories may be shared at www.holladaycottonwoodmortuary.com
Karl and his family want to express their gratitude to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, and the hospice nurses of the Community Nursing Services who provided gentle and loving care during the last months of his life.