Clarence George Goeglein was born February 15, 1949 to Henry and Edna (Yost) Goeglein in Akron. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yuma on March 13, 1949, and confirmed in the Holy Christian faith on April 7, 1963, also at St. John’s. Clarence’s confirmation memory verse was Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (KJV).
Clarence was raised on the family farm west of Yuma, developing a love of the land from a very young age, farming with his dad and his brother, Ralph. He attended St. John’s Lutheran school through the third grade until the school’s closure in 1958, and then attended Yuma schools, graduating from Yuma High School in 1967. While in high school, he excelled in basketball and was involved in Future Farmers of America. After graduation, he attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins for three years, studying agriculture and living in the FarmHouse fraternity. He left school to return to the farm to help his dad. During this period, he joined the Air National Guard in Greeley from 1971 – 1976, serving in the Reserves during the Vietnam War, while his brother was deployed overseas with the Army. It was during this time in the National Guard that he met Cynthia Kay Ashley in 1973, and they were married in 1975. To this union were born four children, Travis, Ryan, Carissa, and Evan.
Also in 1975, Clarence took over the home place from his parents as they retired and moved to town. He began farming in a partnership with his brother, and they were recognized in 1976 as top sugar beet producers by Great Western Sugar. He loved farming and did that until his retirement in 1995, although he always stayed active on the farm.
Clarence had many hobbies, initially getting into photography and developing his own film. After a few speeding tickets driving Kay to Denver for prenatal appointments, he obtained his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying a 1975 Cessna 182 for those appointments instead. He also was talented in many arenas, such as carpentry and mechanics, technology and electronics, and also held various interests, including beekeeping and raising his chickens.
Clarence was maintained by his faith in his Lord Jesus, and this manifested as love and much affection to his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren. A very patient and gentle man, he was slow to anger and quick to forgive. He loved attending his kids’, and later his grandkids’ school and sporting events and birthday parties, and was very generous in giving of his time, love, and resources. He saw the best in others, and was always very loving towards everyone he encountered.
Clarence passed away on February 26, 2022 at his home in Yuma, and he was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Edna, and brother Ralph. He is survived by son Travis (Megan), son Ryan (Lori), daughter Carissa (Steph), son Evan (Mandy), grandchildren Micah, Heidi, Sam, Asher, Stefan, Quinn, Anneliese, and Lily, and many cousins and extended relation too numerous to mention.
A funeral service for Clarence was held Monday, March 7, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yuma, with Rev. Dennis FitzPatrick officiating. Interment was at the Yuma Cemetery. Baucke Funeral Home handled the funeral arrangements.
2022-03-09