Delores Irene Goertzen (Pankratz), was born on August 1, 1943 in Cando, North Dakota, where she joined the family of parents Wilbur and Lucile Pankratz and brother Dennis.  Best known by her friends as "Dee", she graduated with the class of 1961 from Calvin High School in Calvin, North Dakota, where she enjoyed playing basketball, going to state her senior year, and being involved with a variety of musical groups.

She continued her education for two more years at Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, studying Child Education which she used in the many children's activities she was involved in at church and as a mentor in Tom Osborne's Teammates program.

On November 26, 1965, she married her best friend, John Goertzen from Henderson, Nebraska.  They resided briefly in Milford before moving to Columbus for six years.  While there, their son Brad was born on June 12, 1971.  They moved back to Milford before their daughter, Brenda, was born on April 20, 1973.

Dee was an active member of Bellwood Mennonite Church, participating as choir director, singing for special music, playing piano, and leading worship songs.  One of her greatest joys was working with the children of Bellwood and the entire Milford community.  She was instrumental in bringing the Venture Club ministry to Milford, sharing Christ with elementary school aged children.

Dee worked at Farmers and Merchants Bank for nine years before joining the staff at Milford Elementary.  In 2007,  John and Dee bought a Harley and retired in 2008 to enjoy riding, even attending the Sturgis rally to the unanimous surprise of their children.

Dee was an avid reader and enjoyed coffee with friends.  She enjoyed laughing and appreciated a good joke.  Baking for family and friends was one of her favorite ways to share, and her kids and grandkids looked forward to fresh cinnamon rolls at each visit.

John and Dee took a foster child, Daisha Austin, into their home and lovingly nurtured her for three months.  She was a joy, and has continued to be an important part of their lives.

John and Dee enjoyed traveling on trips which included Alaska, Palm Springs, and Sarasota, as well as St. George Island, Florida, and San Diego for spring breaks with their grandkids.

Dee passed away on November 1, 2017, at the age of 74 years, 3 months, after a five-year battle with cancer.  She leaves behind her husband of fifty-two years, John;  son Brad Goertzen and wife Bonnie of Fort Collins, CO; daughter Brenda Hudecek and husband Larry of Lincoln; brother Dennis Pankratz of Omaha; grandchildren Andrea, Evan and Nicholas Goertzen, and foster granddaughter Daisha Austin, as well as a host of beloved nieces and nephews.