Diana Goebel, 74, of Jordan, passed away peacefully at her home on Oct 30, 2023 after a heroic two-year battle with ovarian cancer.
A visitation will take place on Thursday, Nov 9, 2023 from 4-7 at Ballard Sunder Funeral Home in Shakopee (833 Marschall Rd.) with a Prayer Service at 6:30pm. Please join us for Diana’s Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, Nov 10, 2023 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Shakopee at 11:30am with a visitation prior from 10-11:30am.
She will be laid to rest in St. Martin Catholic Cemetery on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 1pm.
Diana was born on April 4, 1949, and grew up on her family farm in St. Martin, MN. She graduated from Paynesville High School in 1967, and shortly after met her future husband, Tom, at a dance at the New Munich Ballroom. Three years later, the two were married at the St. Martin Catholic Church on September 12, 1970. It was the first wedding held in the new Church. The newlyweds moved to Minneapolis, where Diana began work as an X-Ray Technician at Mount Sinai Hospital. The couple later found their permanent home in Jordan, where they remained for the better part of 50 years, raising their four children, and later welcoming nine grandchildren.
The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Diana. She loved her flower garden, family card games, tea parties with her grandchildren, and exploring local thrift shops for treasures. She loved her family deeply, lived out her faith devoutly, and approached others in need with a giving spirit.
Throughout her life, Diana was active in her church and a strong supporter of Catholic education. Diana volunteered much of her time teaching Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), hosting religious study groups in her home and was the deanery lead for the Archbishop’s Annual Catholic Appeal for 15 years. She served as Development Director for Holy Trinity Catholic Schools in Winsted, was a member of the first Board of Directors responsible for the construction of a new Catholic high school in Victoria, and played an instrumental role in the expansion of the Catholic school in Jordan. The level of Diana’s dedication to Catholic education was exemplified in 1990, when she successfully collected 975,000 Campbell’s Soup labels so that a small Catholic school could get a new bus through the Soup Labels for Education program. The story received national news attention.
A determined, faith-filled, loving, and generous person, Diana will be greatly missed by her husband, Tom Goebel; Children, Paul (Audra) Goebel, Amy (Brian) Gravely, Jessica (Mark) Balzarini, Jonathan (JoAnna) Goebel; grandchildren, (Amy and Brian) Luke and Sophie Gravely, (Paul and Audra) Adalynn Johnson, Broderick and Gabriella Goebel, (Jonathan and JoAnna) Isabella, Aubrey, Elizabeth and Jacob Goebel. Diana is preceded in death by her parents Rogaria and Robert Mehr; and siblings Rodney and Rosemary Mehr.
Offer Condolence for the family of Diana Elizabeth (Mehr) Goebel
Print Obituary & Condolences
Mary Goebel-Komala
My heart goes out to all of you.
Betsy Kiefer
Diana was a loving wife & mother, a doer…a leader, contri butor, someone you wanted on your team. A warm, kind, energizer bunny…always encouraging, positive, full of hope with a heart dedicated to the Lord…her hands for service to others. Such a beautiful soul. Life is truly a vapor.
Deacon Michael Thoennes
I have known Diane and the family for over 35 years. I first met her when she was Development Director at Holy Trinity in Winsted. She was an energetics and dynamic person who will be sorely missed. My condolences to her family and friends.
Rollefson Family
Our heartfelt sympathy. Ron& Doris Rollefson
Kari Peterson
Love you dearly
Elizabeth Burgett
I first met Diana and Tom at a dance recital where their son, Jon, and my daughter, Jennie, performed on the same dance team. I remember her joy and laughter. From that moment, over 30 years ago, every time I was with Diana, I felt joy. In the last 2 years, cancer tried to rob her of joy, but it couldn’t, because Diana’s joy came from her faith and trust in God. Being with Diana increased my faith and trust. Even in her suffering, she believed in His love for her. Diana’s family and friends experienced her kindness, her joyful laughter and warm smile, the light and warmth she brought into our lives. We have lost the comfort and joy Diana gave us here on earth, but I think she wants us to look to God now for comfort and joy, as she did. Rest in peace, precious friend
Eunice V Swanson
I was a friend of Diana’s for our grade school and high school years. We loved going dancing. I was taller than she was so I was always leading the dance. We traveled to the twin cities to see the Beatles, that was always a great memory. We were roommates after high school for a while and as life happens we were pulled in different directions. She was a shinning star then and still is, just look up and you will her shinning down.
Eunice V Swanson
I was a friend of Diana’s for our grade school and high school years. We loved going dancing. I was taller than she was so I was always leading the dance. We traveled to the twin cities to see the Beatles, that was always a great memory. We were roommates after high school for a while and as life happens we were pulled in different directions. She was a shinning star then and still is, just look up and you will see her shinning down.
Felicia Dawn Tibayan Leammukda ans family
I am so very sorry for your loss! I wish I could be there in person to give you all big hugs.
Sending love and Prayers from the Leammukda family-
Dawn, Mitch, Maverick, Curtis and Zelda
Ryan O'Neill
Sending lots of love and ongoing prayers to the entire family. God Bless You all!
Barb Clothier
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Barb and Karl