Paul M. Goettsch

Paul M. Goettsch, age 79, a longtime resident of Yankton, South Dakota died on Monday, September 7, 2026 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall, South Dakota.

Visitation for the public will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, on September 17, 2026 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton. A vigil service will also be held for the public that evening at 7:00 PM at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home. A private family service will take place and private burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton with military honors provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791 and the SD Army National Guard Funeral Honors.

Paul was born June 30, 1947 in rural Cherokee County, Iowa on the family farm to Murlen and Florence (Delperdang) Goettsch, growing up with three brothers and three sisters. Paul graduated from Holstein Community High School in Iowa and then entered the United States Army. He served a total of six years in active and active reserve service, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was proud of his military service during the Vietnam era and was trained as an artillery surveyor and ballistics weatherman. Paul was an airborne ranger with 101st Airborne Division, acting as a Colonel’s aid. After his discharge, he attended Western Iowa Tech and studied mechanical management. Paul was a stockbroker and later promoted to trader in Sioux City, IA and Davenport, IA, respectively, before becoming a board member and vice-president of the First National Bank in Fonda, IA. he also completed many business and banking courses and carried an all-lines insurance license. Later after moving to Yankton, Paul was an assistant engineer with the City of Yankton and also worked for Montgomery Wards Company in Yankton. On August 14, 1993, Paul married Carol (Klasi) Brunke in Yankton. Paul was a self-employed building contractor for the last 20 plus years until he had to retire for health reasons.

Paul enjoyed a huge range of outdoor activities in competitive and hunting archery, winning a national bronze medal and many other state championships with some records that still stand today. He won a national invitational tournament shooting against the best. Paul loved to fish and hunt with his family, especially his granddaughters. He could make or fix about anything and was always willing to help someone out. His volunteer work with the Disabled American Veterans pleased him most, as well as volunteering during Junior Leader Football and Meals on Wheels. All you had to do was ask. Paul was known for his antique vehicle restorations. He held many different club offices and won many awards. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Paul is survived by his loving wife and life companion, Carol Goettsch of Yankton; his daughter, Desiree (Terry) Duitsman of Sioux City, IA and step son, Wayne (Melodee) Brunke of Scotland, SD. He was so proud of them. He is also survived by his sweet little granddaughters: Haley (Kolten), Karyssa (Austin) and Myranda (Hunter); great granddaughter, Wynter and another on the way; four brothers and sisters: Margaret (Cal) Steffen of Minneapolis, MN, Dale (Ellen) Goettsch of Burnsville, MN, Thomas (Jan) Goettsch of Galva, IA and Brian (Sandra) Goettsch of Galva; and many close friends.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Albert and Lea Klasi; and two sisters, Jaqueline Goettsch and Kathryn Goettsch.