Theodore Henry Goos Jr.

Theodore H. Goos Jr, 64, of Wakefield, Nebraska died on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at his home in Wakefield, Nebraska surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held Friday, October 26, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the Burwell United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the family for a scholarship fund or the Lymphoma Research Foundation. Theodore Henry Goos Jr. was born March 4, 1948 to Theodore Augustus and Lila Fern Goos (Patterson) in Burwell, NE. Ted passed away at his home in Wakefield, Nebraska on October 20, 2012 surrounded by family. Ted was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Roscoe and Grace (Wirsig) Patterson, paternal grandparents Fredrick and Maude (Darling) Goos, parents Ted and Lila, his oldest brother, Richard Goos, and sister-in-law Dianne Moses. Ted attended grade school at Loup County schools in Taylor and graduated in 1966. He attended the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Education. He was united in marriage to Jennifer Louise Moses on August 19, 1967 at the United Methodist Church in Burwell, Nebraska. To this union three children were born, Rachel Dawn, Rebecca Dianne, and Theodore Henry Adam. Ted enjoyed growing up in Taylor and the surrounding Sandhills, spending much of his time hunting and fishing with his brothers. It was a great place to grow into adulthood and instilled in him a deep love for the natural world. Later in life he discovered golf, a past time that he found relaxing and kept him outdoors. He was an avid reader, particularly of American history subjects. He shared this passion with his children and grandchildren, who would often read the same books and share opinions of the quality of the story. Ted also loved traveling, often to sites of historical importance or places of great natural beauty. Ted’s first love, however, was teaching his students at Winnebago. Ted was a special education teacher for 30 years. He taught four years at the Morton School at the Regional Center, one year at Burwell, NE for ESU 10 out of Kearney, Nebraska and 24 years and three months at Winnebago public schools. His love for his students was apparent at his celebration of life ceremony. Students, wanting to honor Ted, organized a prayer, a drum ceremony, and a blessing. They and their parents surrounded him throughout the day, physically and verbally, with words of love and thankfulness for his dedication to them and their future. Ted was part of a large family, and family was always of great importance to him. As the youngest he always felt safe and protected, knowing his brothers and sisters would be behind him. He loved family gatherings, with their political discussions and playing football and basketball with his nieces and nephews. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer (Moses) Goos of Wakefield Nebraska; daughter Rachel Hall and husband Les and son Craig of Bassett, NE; daughter Rebecca Jepsen and husband Nick and children Lila, Isabella, Elan, Caitlyn and Gracie of Wakefield, NE; son T. Adam Goos and partner Scott Mead of Plattsmouth, NE. He is also survived by his sister Betty Daubt and husband Bob of Chambers, brother Roger and wife Betty Goos of Taylor, NE: brother Larry Goos and his wife Rosie of Kearney, NE; sister Janet Mignery and husband Dave of Bartlett, NE; sister Sonja Bykerk and husband Ed of Taylor, NE and sister-in-law Rose Lee Goos of Lincoln; nieces and nephews, friends, and students of Winnebago.