Nadine (Buck) Goertzen

Nadine Buck Goertzen returned to her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in Logan, Utah, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born on October 28, 1936, in Menan, Idaho, to Joseph Percival Buck and Katherine Mary Tibbitts Buck, the third of nine children.

During World War II, her family moved often as her father, Joe, worked as a machinist in various locations—Ogden, Utah; Minneapolis, Minnesota; LeClair, Iowa; and Beale Air Force Base, California—where Nadine began first grade. After the war, they returned to Idaho, and she completed her schooling in American Falls.

In 1951, at age 14, Nadine met “the new boy in town,” Leonard Goertzen. Although he was 2½ years older and initially saw her as a friend, their friendship endured while he served in the U.S. Air Force in Okinawa. Upon his return, they became engaged and married on August 31, 1957, in American Falls. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on February 16, 1963.

Nadine and Leonard built a life of love and service, raising their three children—Kathie Jo, Bradley, and Darin—in Pocatello, Idaho. Nadine’s talents as a cook, seamstress, and homemaker filled their home with beauty, warmth, and joy. She had a passion for learning, creating, and teaching, and she especially loved reading, sewing, crafting, and cooking. Her greatest joy came from her family—being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nadine’s life was grounded in her faith in the Gospel and her love for Jesus Christ. She served faithfully in many callings, including a mission to Nauvoo with Leonard, always offering her time and talents to others. In 1998, Nadine and Leonard moved to Garland, Utah, to help care for her mother. Her life was marked by quiet strength, dedicated service, and unwavering faith.

Nadine is survived by her husband of 67 years, Leonard Goertzen; daughter, Kathie Jo (Rod) Rounds; son, Darin Goertzen; eight grandchildren—Natalie (Jesse) Pace, Lucas (Tara) Rounds, Jenna (Benson) Williams, Jacob (Andrea) Rounds, Kelsey (Jason) Nuttall, Maggie (John) Geertsen, Nick (Megan Craig) Goertzen, Melissa (Brandon) Davidson, and Porter Goertzen; Daughters-in-law Tracy Goertzen and Lynette Goertzen; and 17 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Mary Ann Broberg, Brent Buck, Lynn Buck, Eileen (Jim) Buchanan, Paul (Kathy) Buck and Karen Buck.

She was preceded in death by her son, Bradley L. Goertzen; granddaughter, Sara Goertzen; parents Katherine and Joseph Buck; and brothers Boyd, Keith, and Randall Buck.

The family expresses heartfelt thanks to all who helped care for Nadine in recent years, especially Holly (her nurse), Christine, Lacy, Jason Bowman from CNS, and Emma Otutaha for her extraordinary compassion.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Garland 5th Ward Chapel, 175 South Main Street, Garland, Utah. Viewings will be Monday, August 18, from 6:00–8:00 p.m., and Tuesday from 9:30–10:30 a.m., at the same location. Interment will follow in the Garland Cemetery.

The service will be live-streamed at www.ruddfuneralhome.com.

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT PAN THE CROWD AND THE CAMERA IS FIXED UPON THE PULPIT. WE WILL TRY AND LIVESTREAM THE FUNERAL SERVICE. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, DUE TO THE INTERNET SERVICE AT THE CHURCH, A RECORDING WILL BE UPLOADED WITHIN 24-48 HOURS AFTER THE SERVICE.