Luella Margaret (Goedtke) Kirchner, age 95 of rural Westbrook, passed away peacefully Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at the Westbrook Good Samaritan Care Center. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 31 at Grace Lutheran Church in Westbrook, Minnesota. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Westbrook Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be at Emanuel Lutheran-Rosehill Cemetery. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Luella was born to Paul and Mary (Behr) Goedtke on June 17, 1927 at the family farm in Seward Township, Nobles County, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pfingsten. She attended District 98 Country School in Seward Township through the 8th grade. Luella received her GED later in life – June 6, 1997 with the help of Eunice Christensen. September 14, 1947, she married the love of her life, Duane Kirchner. Luella worked on the family farm where she raised chickens and a garden and did a lot of canning. She was a good cook and loved serving meals so it was fitting for her to work and cook at several local restaurants. She was a volunteer at the school and was very active at church, including bible studies. Luella loved Christmas! Some of the hobbies she enjoyed involved quilting and sewing – she made many dresses. Luella enjoyed going to dances, especially The John Deere Bandwagon and attended many polka dances. She was always a caregiver. She loved spending time with her family and especially loved the babies.
Luella is survived by her children: Linda Bakke of rural Avoca, Brenda (David) Schreiber of Lakefield, and Paul (Barb) Kirchner of Avoca; grandchildren: Jason (Aimee) Bakke, Chad (Jennifer) Bakke, Nathan (Dolly) Bakke, Sara (Curtis) Marquardt, Leah (Mike) Timmermann, Christine Kirchner, Joshua (Courtney) Kirchner, Daniel (Abby) Kirchner, Ben (Samantha) Kirchner, and Mitchell (Trisha) Wulff; step-grandchildren: Amy, Jennifer & Jake; great grandchildren: Kate, Annika, Lyla, Brayden & Brooke Bakke, Brandon & Hunter Marquardt, Kyra & Keegan Timmermann, Cameron, Gavin & Wyatt Kirchner, Ashlyn, Connor, Ava & Spencer Kirchner, Grant & Emma Wulff; daughter in-law Gayleen Kirchner; brother-in-law Dale (Dollie) Kirchner of Wauwatosa, WI and many other relatives & friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Duane; sons: Dennis, Loren and infant son Darrel; parents; siblings: Lillian, Evelyn, Eldon & Marian; grandchildren: Duane Schreiber & Eric Kirchner.