William "Bill" Goette

William F. A. Goette of Albert Lea, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea. He was 90 years old.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea. Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and again one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at West Freeborn Cemetery near Hartland, Minnesota. Pastor Kent Otterman will officiate. A luncheon will be served after the service. Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea, MN, has been honored with assisting the family.

William F. A. Goette was born on July 22, 1936, at Naeve Hospital to William and Alice (Brandt) Goette. He grew up in Freeborn County and attended country schools, graduating from high school in New Richland. He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on April 2, 1950. In his youth, he enjoyed spending time with his grandfather Brandt, attending free shows, and was a member of FFA in high school.

After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army on January 12, 1955, and was stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Minnesota, where he worked on the family farm, helping expand the hog operation while farming the land. In the early 1980s, he began his career with the Benson-Quinn Company as a supervisor in the pork production division. He dedicated many years to that role before retiring, leaving a lasting impact through his hard work, leadership, and commitment to the industry.

On August 31, 1958, Bill married Lorraine Engebretson at Pickerel Lake Concordia Lutheran Church. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, and farming, and were blessed with four children: Dean, Jerome, Brenda, and Rodney.

Bill was deeply involved in the pork industry and dedicated countless hours to promoting and advancing hog production. As a member of the Freeborn County Pork Producers, he helped the organization achieve the highest membership in Minnesota, reaching 478 members. He served as president of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association for five years and as vice president of the National Pork Producers Council for two years.

In addition to his agricultural leadership, Bill was active in his church and community. He served two terms as president of West Freeborn Lutheran Church and was president of the Minnesota Spring Barrow Show. Bill was also well known as an announcer, lending his voice to the Minnesota Spring Barrow Show at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds and the National Barrow Show, where participants and spectators alike appreciated his enthusiasm and knowledge of the industry.

Bill looked forward to attending the Freeborn County Fair every August and faithfully served as the 4-H Hog Show Supervisor for 40 years, mentoring and encouraging generations of young exhibitors. His dedication to the community extended beyond agriculture. He served on the Freeborn School Board for 15 years, chaired the Freeborn ASCS Committee, and spent six years as the auctioneer for the Fall Bazaar at West Freeborn Lutheran Church.

Family was at the heart of Bill's life. He treasured witnessing his children's marriages and celebrating the milestones of their growing families. In 2015, he and his family traveled to Hawaii, where he proudly revisited Schofield Barracks. Bill especially cherished time spent with loved ones, whether making lefsa at Brenda's home on the family farm or gathering there for Thanksgiving celebrations.

Throughout his life, Bill received numerous honors and held many leadership roles. He was named a Minnesota Pork All-American in 1975 and served as vice president of the National Pork Producers Council in 1982. He was also a dedicated member of American Legion Post 56, serving in the Honor Guard and as Post Commander. In his spare time, Bill enjoyed listening to polka music and old-time tunes, and he never passed up a good pork chop meal. His legacy of leadership, service, faith, and devotion to family will be remembered by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lorraine Goette; daughter Brenda (Jim) Cords; son Rodney (Deb) Goette; daughter-in-law: DeeAnn Goette; grandchildren: Ranell (Isreal) Wacek, Randi (Jon) Peterson, Ryan (Megan) Goette, Rachelle (Shawn) Herman, Nathan (Hannah) Goette, Josh (Katie) Cords, Andy (Amber) Cords, MaKenzie (Carlos) Cruz, Nick Goette, and Caitlin (Sam Roelofs) Goette; honorary grandson Tilman (Katharina Vestweber) Blezinger of Germany; 27 great-grandchildren; sisters: Margaret Bartness and Kathleen Peterson; and by several in-laws and many nieces, nephews, close friends, and other loved ones.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; sons: Dean Goette (2021) and Jerome Goette (2025); brothers: Howard, Chuck, and Bennett Goette; father- and mother-in-law, Christopher and Dorothy Engebretson, along with several brother- and sisters-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorials be made to the American Legion Post 56, St. Croix Hospice, or the West Freeborn Cemetery Fund. They would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Good Samaritan Center and St. Croix Hospice for the compassionate and wonderful care they provided during this difficult time.

The service will be live-streamed, and can be viewed below or from the following link: https://youtube.com/live/0yyhZa2Om50?feature=share