Joseph J Goettle

Joseph John Goettle, age 82, of Troy, MT, passed away peacefully on January 16,2025, after a difficult battle with cancer. He was born September 1, 1942, in Kenmare, ND to Leonard and Annie Goettle and graduated from Donnybrook High School in 1960.He was drafted into the army after turning eighteen and spent two years overseas in Germany. He was a proud veteran and loved his time overseas, still reminiscing about those years near the end. He returned to Donnybrook, ND after the military and worked on the family ranch and for the Farmers Union in Kenmare, ND. He married Jocelyn Wink of Sherwood, ND in 1964. They had 4 children before moving to Troy, MT in 1978. They divorced in 1982, and he married Marlene Price a few years later. They had an adventurous life moving from Troy to Elko, NV and then to Great Falls, MT before Marlene’s passing in 2010. In 2014, Jack married sweet and loving Mary Jo Pepiot, and they created a beautiful life in Troy where he lived until the end.

Jack, as we all knew him, was a jack of all trades and a master of many. He was a rancher and farmer, a professional sheep shearer, a laborer in the oil fields, a heavy equipment operator, a logger, a miner, a truck driver, and most importantly a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He never met a stranger in his life and had countless friends from the day he was born until his very last days. His unparalleled positivity and beaming smile warmed anyone in his vicinity. He enjoyed any and all time he could spend with any family member from a far away cousin to his closest family member. He enjoyed ice fishing, summer fishing and boating, working, driving truck and hauling gravel for his nephew Wyatt, but mostly he loved visiting with his family.

He is survived by his sweet Mary Jo (Troy) and her children Kelli (Brad) Erickson (South Bend, OR), Sheena Martin (Salcha, AK) and Joseph (Madaya) Pepiot (Elko, NV); his children Michelle Martin (Hansen, ID), Brian (Michelle) Goettle (Kimberly, ID), Blane (Dong) Goettle (Sacramento, CA), and Jake (Heidy) Goettle (Helena, MT); Marlene’s daughter Kerri (David) Augare (Valier, MT); his siblings Leon Goettle (Minot, ND), Joyce (Andy) Bly (Minot, ND), Lawrence (Nancy) Goettle (Donnybrook, ND), Margaret Goettle (Minot, ND), Dan Goettle (White Earth, ND), Laureen (Bob) Klein (Burlington, ND), and Monica (Ron) Dessonville (Dawson, MN) and sister in law Doris Goettle (Donnybrook, ND); grandchildren Tyler, Garrett, Cooper, CW, Ethan, Sierra, Ansel, Dakota, Jaden, Gabrielle, Jameson, Jacqueline, Alissa, Grace, Heidi, Brad, Shaylee, David, Jonathon, Martina, Karlee, Malena, and Brian; and numerous great grandchildren, nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Annie, his brother Jim Goettle, sister-in-law Leeann Goettle, son-in-law Jeff Martin, and son-in-law James Martin.

A service will be held at the Immaculate Conception in Troy on January 25, 2025, at noon. A celebration of life will be held this summer at a location to be determined.  Arrangements were under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby.  Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.

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