Ernest Jay Goetz

Ernest (Ernie) Jay Goetz, 66, passed away April 18, 2026.

Ernie was born December 15, 1959 in Salina, Kansas to Donald Goetz and Mary (Bieker) Goetz. He is survived by his two sisters, Barbara Hiner (Cain) of Assaria, and Rita Billips of Hoyt, his brother Joe Goetz of Hoyt, his wife, Michelle of Minneapolis; daughters; grandchildren; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Ernie graduated from Lindsborg High School in 1977 and enlisted in the US Army (active duty) where he learned multiple different operating systems to work on electronic equipment, computers, and radars until 1980 when he transitioned to the US Army Reserves and served until 1983.

In 1983, Ernie earned his Associate's degree in Electrical Engineering from Kansas Technical Institute. Immediately putting his degree to work, he was hired by NCR in Wichita, Kansas, as an Electronic Technician and Failure Analyst until 1989 when he moved to St. Louis, Missouri. In St. Louis, Ernie worked for McDonnell Douglas as a Laser Quality Assurance Technician Until 1993.

In 1993, a career change took Ernie to Norton, Kansas where he was a corrections officer from 1993-1994. In 1994, he returned to St. Louis and took on the roles of Quality Assurance Technician until 1999.

Wanting to be closer to family, Ernie moved back to Salina in 1999 and went to work for Brown & Brown Inc. as an Electronics Technician and Maintenance until 2001 when he went to work for Mid-States Energy Works from 2001-2003.

In 2001, Ernie decided to return to the military and enlisted in the US Army National Guard as Electronics Communications and Repair Technician. The lifelong bachelor met his wife, Michelle, in 2002 and they were married in Minneapolis, Kansas in 2003. In 2005, Ernie officially adopted his two daughters.

While in the US Army National Guard, Ernie worked at MATES on Ft. Riley completing inspection trips, diagnostic processes, installations, and needed repairs on a wide range of electronic equipment from 2003-2015. He was proud to serve his country and deployed with his unit to Iraq from 2009 to 2010.

From 2015-2017, Ernie worked for the United States Postal Service in Minneapolis, Kansas priding himself on speed, accuracy, friendly service, and representing the Postal Service in a positive light.

In 2017, Ernie left the postal service and deployed again with the US Army National Guard. This deployment was to Kuwait from 2017-2018 where he worked on electronics maintenance and repair.

After returning from his Kuwait deployment Ernie decided to retire from the military in 2018. Since his retirement he has had assorted part-time jobs, enjoyed helping his friends and family with projects and events, looked forward to hunting and fishing, hanging out with friends, or just sitting and reading a book.

His final deployment from this earth will be remembered with a Celebration of Life on Friday, May 8, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home with military honors starting at 4:30. If you’d like to wear your favorite sports team gear or hunting apparel that would be a great tribute.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the veterans' program of your choice.