Kathleen “Kathy” Goracke, 62, of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, died Thursday, October 4th, 2012, at St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.

She was born on October 24th, 1949, at the Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Her parents were Elmer and Imogene (Feist) Peyton of Leshara, Nebraska.

Following graduation from Fremont High School Kathy moved to Tecumseh, Nebraska.  She owned and operated the Towne & Country Motel for eight years. In 1989, Kathy married Mike Goracke and they moved to Newcastle, Nebraska, for nine years. In 1998, they moved to Johnson Lake.

Kathy enjoyed her work as a nurse. She loved to help people in any way possible. In 1985, she was named E.M.T. of the year by the state of Nebraska.  Kathy graduated from Southeast Community College in 1989 and received her R.N. from Western Iowa Tech in 1992. Kathy worked at St. Lukes Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa, then worked at Tri-County Hospital until she retired in 2010.

She enjoyed boating, hunting, fishing, gardening and riding on the back of her motorcycle. Kathy took great pride in spending time and spoiling her twelve grandchildren. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed taking care of her family and friends. Kathy made friends easily and through her work has enjoyed the company of many close friendships who were a big part of her life.  She will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her husband Mike Goracke of Johnson Lake; four children: Scott and wife Deanna and their children Katie, Adanna, Karissa and Aliya of Hickman, Nebraska; Michele and her husband Scott and their children Heather, Kelley, Alek and Brandon of Beatrice, Nebraska; Bernie and wife Marla and their children Zachary and Caleb of Columbus, Nebraska; Mike and wife Crystal and their children Bailey and Cohen of Newcastle; uncle Eugene and aunt Francis Feist of Leshara, Nebraska; cousins: David and Dale Feist of Leshara, Vic and wife Virginia Mueller of Fremont, Nebraska, Sharon Holeka of Seward, Nebraska, mother-in-law: Mary Goracke of Johnson Lake, brothers-in-law: Steve and wife Kate Goracke of Gilbert, Arizona and Doug and wife Judy of Red Oak, Iowa; sisters-in-law: Deb and husband Mark Wortman of Elkhorn, Nebraska, Vic and husband Lupe Bliven of Johnson Lake.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents

Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, October 9th, 2012, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington with Reverend Neal Nollette officiating.

Burial was at the St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery at Lexington.

Please forward online condolences to the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.