Goergen, Frank 1873-1940 & Elizabeth Diederich Family

GOERGEN, DIEDERICH, LARAUSCH, FRIEDMAN

Posted By: Wilma J. VandeBerg -volunteer (email)
Date: 12/22/2025 at 18:19:42

Goergen, Frank 1873 - 1940 and Elizabeth Diederich Family

This biography of the Frank Goergen family was taken from a family story in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church book of Granville Iowa page 96 & 97. It was further researched and composed by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society.

The full narrative including additions to the church book story were made from various sources including records from the web site www.iagenweb.org/sioux; family reports and vitals collected from ancestry.com records and ancestry’s public member trees, Find A Grave index, internet searches and various local archives.

Disclaimer: Names, dates and places may vary from one source to another, but have been stated in this biography as presented in the source. Family data taken from ancestry.com public member trees is subject to the submitter of data to ancestry.com and was not fully verified by this submitter. Information was cross checked from other sources when possible.

The Frank Goergen family story from the St. Joseph’s church book page 96 & 97.

Frank was the oldest son of Theodore and Elizabeth Larrasch Goergen. His father, Theodore, was born December 25, 1830 at Trier Germany. His mother, Elizabeth was born August 10 1848 at Hoffelt, Germany. Theodore and Elizabeth were married October 13, 1870 at Trier, Germany. Theodore died July 24, 1905 and Elizabeth passed away November 3, 1932, They are both buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery at Granville.

Frank was born February 2, 1873 at Caledonia, Minnesota and the family moved to Granville shortly after that. Frank had nine brothers and sisters: Mary (Mrs. Joseph Hoefler), Dominic, Michael, Mathias, Elizabeth (Mrs. Bernard Hoefler), Jacob, Alexander, Veronica, and Anthony.

Frank Married Elizabeth Diederich, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Diederich, on January 17, 1905 in the new St. Joseph church, the first couple to exchange vows in the new edifice. Elizabeth had six borthers and sisters: Frank, Paul, Ann (Mrs. Lawrence Spieler), Margaret, Kathryn, and Eva (Mrs. Peter Jonas).

Elizabeth was born October 31, 1878 at Granville, the daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Friedman) Diederich. Her father, Jacob, was born in Stegen, Luxemburg, October 11, 1846 and died on March 15, 1915. Her mother, Catherine was born December 25, 1851 at Waynesburg, Ohio and she passed away June 9, 1938. Jacob and Cahterine are both buried in St. Joseph Cemetery at Granville.

Frank and Elizabeth had six children: Joseph (deceased), Theodore ( Deceased). Martin or Connie as he was know (deceased); Margaret (Mrs. Leonard Roetzel) of Adrian, Minnesota; Virginia (Mrs. Robert Harens) of Worthington, Minnesota; and Paul of Granville.

Frank and Elizabeth were always devoted to their parish and their family. They always expected and received the best from their children. Frank was a member of the early St. Joseph’s Choir. He was a farmer and business man, always ready to try something new or different. He was one of the real ‘Old Time Thresherman’. He established the Goergen Implement Company in Granville. He was also a plumber and heating man. At one time, all of the heating systems in the Joseph’s Parish building, church, school, rectory and Sister home had been installed by Frank and his sons. Mrs. Georgen, despite many years of poor health was always a devoted wife and mother.

Frank passed away August 14, 1940 and Elizabeth joined him in death, April 28, 1951. Both are buried in St. Joseph Cemetery. All of Frank and Elizabeth’s family were baptized and confirmed in St. Joseph’s.

(End of the Frank Goergen family story in the St. Joseph’s church book. There is a biography of Frank’s parents the Theodore Goergen 1830-1905 and Elizabeth Larausch 1948-1932 family by this submitter, on this site. There are also more Theodore Goergen family stories in the St. Joseph’s church book on more of their children, besides this narrative on Frank’s family.)

RESEARCH Notes: From Ancestry.com’s vitals data and their public members trees; local archive obits on this web page and Find A Grave Index.

Frank, J. Goergen was born 2 Feb 1873 Caledonia, Housten County, MN died 14 Aug 1904 Granville, IA. His parents were Theodore Goergen born 25 Dec 1830, Wallersheim, Bitburg Prum, Rheinland Pfalz, Germany died 24 Jul 1905 Granville IA; and Elizabeth Larausch born 30 Aug 1848 Steinbach, Canton of Houffalize, Luxembourg, Belgium died 3 Nov 1932 Hospers IA. (See Frank’s parents BIOS done separately.) Frank married Elizabeth Diederich 17 Jan 1905 .

Elizabeth Diederich was born 31 Oct 1878 Granville, Sioux, IA died 28 Apr 1951 Granville IA She was the daughter of Jacob Diederich born 10 Oct 1846 Stegen, Luxembourg died 15 Mar 1915 Granville IA ; and Catherine Freidman born 25 Dec 1851 Waynesburg OH died 9 Jun 1938 Granville IA. (see the bios and obits of Jacob & Catherine on this web page) Frank Goergen and Elizabeth Diederich had the following chldren.

CHILDREN: From local obits posted on this web page, Find A Grave, and ancestry.com’s birth, marriages, and deaths.

1. Joseph T. Goergen born 3 Nov 1905 died Jan 1959 Granville IA. He married Martha Stoffel born 1914. They had a large family. See his obit on this web page children - five sons and five daughters: Mary of Rochester, Minnesota, Francis, Agnes, Dominic, Veronica, Florian, Judy, Aloysius, Gregory and Gertrude, 

2. Theodore D. Goergen born 4 Jan 1910 Floyd Twp, Sioux County IA died 15 May 1956 Granville, IA. He married Mathilda Schiltz born 1913. See His obit on this web page.

3. Martin Michael Goerge born 29 Jun 1911 Granville IA died 1 May 1957 Worthington, Nobles Co. MN. Buried St. Joseph’s cemetery Granville IA . See his obit on this web page.

4. Margaret M. Goergen born abt 1913 died 2002 Worthington MN. Mrs. Leonard Roetzel of Worthington. Children listed on Find A Grave – Clarice Elizabeth Roetzel Lenz, Daryl Everett Roetzel, and Kathleen Ann Roetzel Strachan.

5. Virginia Kathryn Goergen born 25 Aug 1915 Granville IA died 19 Feb 2015 Worthington, MN. She married Robert Harens. Find A Grave lists children – Mary Charlet Harens, Nicholas Harens, Donald John Harens.

6. Paul Francis Goergen born 7 Jan 1920 Granville IA died 14 Aug 1997 Orange City IA buried St. Joseph’s cemetery Granville IA . He married Maxine Engeldinger 1919-1965. One child listed on Find a Grave as Sheryl K. Feller. See Paul’s obit on this web page that lists - four daughters and their husbands, Sheryl and Dennis Feller of Rapid City, South Dakota, Karen and Richard Glennie of Glencoe, Minnesota, Lynn and Gordon Pottebaum of Alton, Lois and Daniel Paulsen of Granville; a son, Dale and his wife Linda Goergen of Apple Valley, Minnesota; 

OBITUARY of Frank Goergen 1873-1940 His grave stone had 1873 as birth year as does the family story in the church book. However, his obituary has the born year as 1882.

Source: Alton Democrat (8-23-1940) Born: February 2, 1882 (error - 1873)
Died: August 14, 1940 HOLD LAST RITES FOR GRANVILLE CITIZEN SATURDAY
Frank J. Goergen, prominent farmer and business man, died at his home Wednesday, August 14, at 3:15 o’clock following a heart attack. He was 59 years old of age. He was born February 2, 1882, (1873) at Caledonia, Minnesota, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Goergen. When he was three years of age the family moved to Marcus and three years later to Granville. He was married January 17, 1905, to Miss Elizabeth Diederich of Granville, the marriage having taken place at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Six children, four sons and two daughters, survive their father, namely: Margaret, Mrs. Leonard Roetzel, Fuida, Minnesota; Joseph Goergen and Theodore of Granville; Virginia, Mrs. Robert Harens, Worthington, Minnesota; Martha and Paul at home. Four grandsons and two granddaughters survive, also two sisters and three brothers: Matt and Nick of Granville; Mrs. Barney Hoefler, Granville; Jake Goergen of Vancouver, Washington and Mrs. Nick Schleich of Colfax, Washington.
Mr. Goergen was a leading farmer in the community and also possessed much business abilities as proprietor of the Granville implement shop. He was devoted to his family and they have the sincere sympathy of the community in the untimely passing of the husband and father. He was loved and respected by hundreds of friends.
Funeral services were held at St, Joseph’s Church on August 17, with the Reverend J.J. Dalhoff officiating. Pallbearers were Frank Hoefler, Frank Spieler, Julius Georgen, Herbert Hoefler, Al Jonas, and Raymond Goergen.
Among those from out of town here for the last rites were Miss Margaret Diederich and Jake Friedman, A. Hoefler, Dyersville; Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Schemmel, Marshalltown; Herb Hoefler, Gerald Penna; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hoefler, Fleming, Colorado; Mr. and Mrs. William Gaul and Mrs. P. Gaul and family, Earling; Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Stanley, Sac City; Mr. and Mrs. Victor Jonas, Los Angeles, Henry Moor, Henry Heinricy, Dell Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. P. Glies, Mrs. Bill Stoffel , Margaret Stoffel and son Vincett, Mrs. Hoefer, Mrs. Higgins, all of Lissome, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. Nick Kreps, Adrain; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Schuetz, Carrie, Minnesota; Mrs. Al Jonas, Mrs. Tony Honkamp, all of Ashton; Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Follett, Fulda; Mr. and Mrs. Engeldinger, Ashton; Harold Dulber, Spencer, Nebraska; Mr. and Mrs. John Mulvany, Marcus; besides many friends from Alton, Remsen, Orange City, and other neighboring towns.

OBITUARY of Elizabeth Mrs. Frank Georgen 1878-1951
Source: Alton Democrat (5-3-1951) Born: October 31, 1878 Died: April 28, 1951
MRS. E. GOERGEN, GRANVILLE PIONEER RESIDENT, PASSES ON Mrs. Elizabeth Goergen, pioneer of the Granville vicinity, where she was born 72 years ago, died Saturday, April 28, 1951 at her home in Granville. She had been ill for 14 months and bedfast for six months.
Elizabeth Diederich was born October 31, 1878, to Catherine and Jacob Diederich, early settlers of east Sioux County. January 17, 1905 she was married to Frank Goergen by the late Reverend J.A. Gerlemann. They were the first couple to be married in St. Joseph Church.
Four sons and two daughters were born to the union, namely Joseph T., Theodore, Martin and Paul, all of Granville; Margaret (Mrs. L.A. Roetzel) and Virginia (Mrs. Robert Harens) of Worthington, Minnesota.
Funeral services were held at St. Joseph’s Church, Monday morning at 9:30 with a Solemn Requiem High Mass, Reverend J.J. Dalhoff, celebrant, Reverend Nick Gaul of Portsmouth, Deacon and Reverend Raymond Calkins, Sub-Deacon. St. Joseph High School choir sang.
The Christian Mother’s Confraternity of which she was a member attended in a body. Burial was made in St. Joseph Cemetery, beside her husband, Frank Georgen, who passed away on August 14, 1940, at their farm home north of Granville, after which Mrs. Goergen moved to town.
Pallbearers were neighbors of the deceased when she resided on the farm. These included Al Heying, Frank Bernard, Leo Lechtenberg, William Schemmel, Jr., Ray Grady and Urban Holles. Surviving besides the six children are 21 grandchildren, four sisters, 1 brother, Paul Diederich, Mrs. L.M. Spieler and Catherine Diederich of Granville and Eva, Mrs. Peter Jonas of Alton.
Relatives attending from a distance besides the children and their families were; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Gaul and John Gaul of Earling; Reverend Nick Gaul of Portsmouth; Margaret Diederich and Jacob Friedman of Syersville, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Jonas, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hastert, Mr. and Mrs. Al Jonas, all of Alton; Mr. and Mrs. Martin Spieler of Remsen; Mr. and Mrs. Al Schemmel of Marshalltown; Mr. and Mrs. Nick Kreps, Mrs. Margaret Stoffel of Adrain, Minnesota; Mrs. Pete Gleis of Lismore, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. Don Schneider of Hospers; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Schuetz of Sioux City and C.J. Kearney of Fort Dodge.

Note: Check the Biographies of Frank’s parents the Theodore Georgens on this web page and Obituaries of many of Frank’s siblings on this web page also.

This picture came from page 96 of the St. Joe’s church book.

Sioux Biographies maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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