Clarence D. Goracke, 96 years of Oakland, Nebraska passed away Sunday, April 21, 2024, at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in West Point, Nebraska. Memorial Mass will be held Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 10:30 am, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lyons. Memorial visitation will be Tuesday, April 30, from 5-7pm with Rosary at 7pm all at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Burial with Military Honors Oakland Cemetery, Oakland. Memorial to the family to be designated. Pelan Funeral Services of Oakland is assisting the family with arrangements.
Clarence Daniel Goracke was born January 14, 1928, to Frank and Caroline (Lempka) Goracke near St. Mary, Nebraska. He passed away at the age of 96; on April 21, 2024, at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in West Point, Nebraska.
Clarence was raised in St. Paul, Nebraska, and graduated from St. Paul High School on May 17, 1945. Immediately after graduation, he joined the Army and served from June of 1945 until his honorable discharge from the Signal Corps in May of 1947. During his military career, he attended the University of Wyoming and the University of Illinois.
After the military, he attended UNL, where he was a member of the football team for three years and participated in gymnastics and track and field. Clarence graduated from UNL with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1950 and completed his Master of Arts for Teachers degree in 1971.
On June 6, 1951, Clarence and Marion (Pientka) were united in marriage at Holy Cross Catholic Church in St. Mary, Nebraska. To this union of 68 years, were born nine children, five girls and four boys. Clarence and Marion were lifelong members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lyons, Nebraska.
In 1950, he started his lifelong career at Oakland and Oakland-Craig High School as an instructor of mathematics and computers and a coach for all sports. Coaching was a big part of his life, and he was proud of every single team. In 1982, Clarence was selected to be an assistant coach for the North Squad in the Shrine Bowl. He retired from coaching in 1984 and from teaching in 1990. As a sideline job, he worked as a carpenter, building two family homes of his own and one other in the community of Oakland.
Clarence enjoyed fishing and hunting, golf, all sports, travel, the stock market, woodworking, painting, computers, gardening, and Big Red football.
Clarence was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marion; his parents; his eight siblings; and his great grandson, Mahz Goracke.
Clarence is survived by his children and their spouses: Robin & Janet Goracke, Curt & Lynnette Goracke, Diane & Kevin Eriksen, Patrick & Lorene Goracke, Nancy & Scott Davis, Rex & Patti Goracke, Joan & Robert Kuhl, Jean & Jon Heusel, Krisa & Curtis Johnson; 15 grandchildren: Matthew, Sara, Brooke, Haley, Spencer, Chad, Amy, Kacy, Alex, Lance, Drew, Liam, Caleb, Ethan, Evan, and 17 great-grandchildren.
