Mamie Goetz
Mamie Goetz, 82, of Richfield, died August 9, 1991. She was survived by 105 great-grandchildren, 69 grandchildren, and ten children. Mamie loved children. She attended mass everyday, and prayed for the health 
of her family. When she wasn’t visiting with children, Goetz played cards, made quilts and made rosaries. Mamie will be missed by her family and the entire community.
The following was written by Patty Goetz Krueger:
Who was Mamie?
Mamie, as a mother who loved her children deeply. When I stopped to visit her Saturday morning, I never saw or felt so much love as her children gave her, in the care to make her peaceful and comfortable. And as they all prayed around her, I realized how much of an inspiration she instilled in them. That will always be with them.
Mamie, as a proud grandmother who always made each and every one of her grandchildren feel special. And one who, as many people ask, always remembered their names.
Mamie, as a friend who was always one to be there, visiting the sick and, as most of us remember, always there to give us a ride to anyone or anywhere.
Mamie, as a rosary maker, no one will ever know exactly how many she made or repaired. But as I visited Grandma on Saturday, holding her hands; it was mentioned how many wonderful things her hands have done. And as I looked around that day, I thought to myself, such a beautiful person, who could ever take her place? But I think that if ever there is a need, if each of us would remember her and fill that need, Mamie Goetz will always carry on.
A newspaper article was written when her 100th great-grandchild was born, which states: Mamie Goetz, 82, of the town of Richfield likes children, and that’s fortunate. The newest addition to the family, four day old Tiffaney Martin, marks her 100th great grandchild.
So how does she keep track of all those names? “I have a good mind,” she said. Goetz, who raised ten children, who in turn raised 69 grandchildren, considers herself lucky that nearly all have been born and raised in good health. Or, maybe it’s more than luck. She drives to Mass every day and prays for her family. She said, “It keeps ‘em all healthy.” She doesn’t ask for miracles. “There’s no need to,” she said. “The miracle of birth is the greatest of all,” according to Goetz.“When you look at all those eyes and ears and fingers, it’s the biggest miracle you could ask for,” she said. “And it’s right in front of your face.” When she was raising her own children, she never considered the large family a burden. “We always showed them off.” Now her family adds festivity to the holidays. Goetz said, she hosted over 100 for Christmas this year. “This newest addition won’t be the last,” she said. “One great-grandchild is due in April and another in July,” she said. “That’s all I know of,” Goetz said. “They sneak in once in a while.” “This past March yielded five babies in eleven days,” she said, “resulting in four new great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.”
When she’s not playing with babies, she manages to find time for some of her other interests. “I play cards; I play Scrabble,” she said. “I make rosaries galore. I have half a room full of quilting.” She visits people in hospitals, in nursing homes, in their own homes. Goetz said “She knows everybody in town her age. I was born here,” she said. “We built this place.” She helps out with one of the family businesses-Goetz Garage Inc. which is in the third generation of operation.
Photo: Century Baby - Mother Debra Goetz Martin, left, looks on as Mamie Goetz, 82, of Richfield, holds Tiffaney Martin, her 100th great-grandchild.
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