Emil Goering, M.D.

On January 7, 2013, Emil Leslie Goering, M.D., beloved patriarch and steadfast friend, left this world to rejoin the love of his life in peace with their Creator. Born in McPherson, Kansas on August 14, 1927, he was the eighth in a family of 12 children born to Jonathan J. and Katie Zerger Goering. Emil was baptized at Eden Mennonite Church of Moundridge KS in May 1941 and was a member of the Mennonite Church all of his life. He married Lavina Mae Ediger on September 1, 1948 at Eden Church. She preceded him in death in 2005. Emil’s siblings, Meta Juhnke, Elmer Goering, Mary Ann Preheim, Laura Krehbiel, Harvey Goering, Phillip Goering, Reuben Goering and Donald Goering also preceded him in death. While growing up on a farm near Moundridge KS, he planned to be a farmer. He was awarded a State Farmer degree in his senior year in high school. He graduated from Bethel College at North Newton Kansas in 1951, and received his M.D. degree from the University of Kansas, School of Medicine in 1957. In 1975 he was Board Certified in Family Practice. He practiced medicine in Mountain Lake MN, Pretty Prairie, Hutchinson, Burlingame and Topeka KS. Throughout his career he never forgot his origins. He greatly enjoyed the people he encountered in his practice, and always took the time to share a joke or story with patients and co-workers. An accomplished craftsman, he always maintained his home and enjoyed building home furniture, violins, and keepsakes for his grandchildren. In the 1960s, he learned to knit, and made a number of hats and sweaters for himself and his sons. He learned to play golf while in medical school and enjoyed playing golf all of his life, particularly in later years with his family and in the Berkshire Couples Club. Gardening was another favorite activity. He was awarded a Master Gardener Certificate from Kansas State University in 2002, and a first prize on his landscape by the Topeka Beautification organization in 1999. Survivors include five children, daughter, Beth and Allan Tanner, of Wichita; sons, Michael Goering, Les and Linda Goering, Thomas and Deborah Goering , and Jonas and Sherry Goering, all of Topeka KS; grandchildren, Naomi (Tanner) and Bradley Smith, Patricia Goering and Jeff Johansen, Megan Goering, Katrina Goering, Ben Goering, Kevin Goering, Jacob Goering, Henry Goering, Joel Goering, and Anna Goering; great-grandchildren, Elliot and Alice Smith; siblings Marjorie Stucky and Clyde Goering of Moundridge KS and Marlo Goering, of Wichita KS. A memorial Service for Emil will be held at Southern Hills Mennonite Church, Topeka KS, on January 19, 2013, at 11 a.m. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Emil made several trips to the gulf coast to serve as a volunteer with Mennonite Disaster Service rebuilding houses damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Memorial contributions can be made to Mennonite Disaster Service, 583 Airport Road, Lititz, PA 17543 mds.mennonite.net .

Emil Goering, M.D.

August 14, 1927 - January 19, 2013