One evening Elmer stopped for a glass of milk at Mel’s Cafe in Halliday, where Clara was a waitress. He offered her a ride home, and the rest is history.
They farmed with Elmer’s parents north of Halliday, where they raised wheat, small grains, beef and dairy cattle, hogs and lots of chickens . . and also five children. Farming presented many challenges, with volatile weather and prices, long hours and hard work. But it also provided many rewards. The Goetz family learned to work together, play together, laugh and cry together. Their parents instilled a strong sense of God and family, pushed their children to excel in school, music and sports, to do their best, and always to put others’ interests ahead of their own.
Now that their children are grown and have families of their own, those children truly appreciate their parents’ special qualities. They admire Elmer’s quiet strength and determination, his humor and a common-sense wisdom that they all rely on. It’s a joy to see the wonderful relationships he has with his children’s spouses and his grandchildren. From Clara they all hope they have inherited her enthusiasm for whatever project she tackles, her caring and listening ear, her love of her family and grandchildren, and her love of flowers and food.
In 1989 Elmer and Clara sold their dairy operation and rented their land to neighbors. They purchased a home in Killdeer and are both working at Hilltop Home of Comfort, where they continue to meet the needs of those around them.