Agnes Elaine Goertzen

Agnes Elaine (Bergen) Goertzen, 86, of Hesston, KS, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 20, 2025, in her home at Schowalter Villa Retirement Community in Hesston.

Agnes was born March 21, 1938, to the late Abe and Elizabeth (Fast) Bergen in their home near Newport, Washinton. She was baptized as a youth at the Spring Valley Mennonite Church (Newport), where she was an active member for most of her life. On November 1, 1956, she married Don Goertzen, and the two of them were married for 68 years. During this time, they were blessed by the birth of three sons: Galen, Kevin, and Michael.

Agnes worked as a secretary/transcriptionist, homemaker, co-owner of Goertzen Photo, and was a longtime bank teller in Priest River and Newport. She was an avid gardener and canner with a particular knack for baking cookies, pies, and breads. However, the role she treasured the most was that of mother, giving her sons her time, instruction, prayer, encouragement, and her famous homemade cookies.

Music was the theme that for her pulled together church, family, and creative expression. Don and Agnes developed their relationship through singing with other young adults in Spring Valley, and throughout her life she consistently participated in, accompanied, and/or coached others in a variety of musical endeavors. She loved to play piano as well as sing in quartets, trios, and especially Northwoods Performing Arts programs while in Newport.

Agnes was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Leona. She is survived by her husband, Don; three sons, Galen and wife Denece of Spokane, WA; Kevin and wife Denise, of Quicksburg, VA; and Michael and wife Elizabeth, of Harrisonburg, VA; two grandchildren, Jessica Velasquez and husband David; and Stephan and wife Virginia; and two great-grandchildren, Ryan and Maya. In addition, she is survived by countless friends who were each her most precious.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. (CDT) on May 3, 2025, at Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston, KS, with public livestream at www.WhitestoneMC.com. Burial of cremains will follow this summer at Spring Valley Mennonite Church in Newport, WA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Mennonite Central Committee in Agnes’ memory.