Erna W. Goehring, 94, of Alliance, NE (formerly Rapid City, SD) passed away on January 15, 2020, at Highland Park Care Center surrounded by her loving family.
Erna was born July 1, 1925, in Java, SD to John C. and Katherine Wiedmeier Bauer. She enjoyed attending country school in the Mound City area and was a good student. At the age of 62, she obtained her GED in Rapid City, achieving a score of 335 out of 400, the highest grade of all applicants that year. She stated, “I only wish I would have taken the test long ago. Who knows? Maybe I would have gone on to college.”
In 1939, Erna met the love of her life, Art Goehring. They wed on April 25, 1943, in Herreid, SD, and went on to have three wonderful children, Jerry, Vern, and Pam.
Erna’s life was filled with love, adventure, and a lot of hard work. From the family farm outside of Mound City, to the many businesses she and her husband owned over the years, she enjoyed work. She was proud of her skills as a bookkeeper, and the fact that she was able to continue working until she was 80, well after her “retirement” in 1993. They spent their winters in Arizona or Florida and their summers at Hart Ranch in Rapid City, where they found a second home and family. She used her kindness, humor, and wit to sell memberships and make new friends. In 1997, they gave up their RVing ways and in 2012, moved to Alliance, NE to be closer to family.
She had a great love of music, God, and family. She played guitar and piano by ear, and she could usually be found humming and singing hymns while she worked.
Erna was preceded in death by her husband Arthur, son LaVerne, daughter-in-law Paula, father and mother, John and Katherine Bauer, sisters Alvera Bauer, Edna Beck, Verine Scott, Vernetta Job, and brothers Otto Bauer, and Stanley Bauer.
She is survived by her son Jerald Goehring, Katy, TX, daughter Pamela (Terry) Eck, Alliance, NE, sister Doris Hoffman, Rapid City, SD, daughter-in-law Carole Goehring, Chaska, MN, brothers-in-law Lester (Beverly) Goehring and Edward (Mavis) Goehring, both of Herreid, SD, seven grandchildren, John Goehring, Lisa Goehring, Krista (Jim) Brilmayer, Lee (Lisa) Goehring, Jeffrey (Jennifer) Goehring, Karl (Laura) Goehring, Cassidy (Rick) Cordes, nine great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, January 20, 2020, at Kirk Funeral Home, Rapid City, SD. Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 21, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Rapid City, with Pastor Nate Sales officiating. Interment will follow at Pine Lawn Cemetery, Rapid City.
Family and friends may leave online condolences at www.kirkfuneralhome.com. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to Highland Park Care Center, Alliance, NE, or First Baptist Church, Rapid City, SD.