Zella Angeline (Clark) Goering

May 21, 1928 – June 18, 2026

In 1928, Zella, the 5th of 8 children, was born seven miles SW of Waverly, Nebraska to Raymond & Esther Clark.

The love of her life, John Goering, enlisted in the U.S. Army and before shipping off to Japan, asked Zella to come to the base where he was stationed. They were married in Jefferson, Indiana – Zella was 19 years old.

Zella joined John in Japan 18 months later where her dream of being a mother came to pass with the birth of her first daughter, Karla. Within 4 years and 2 months Cheri, Marsha, and Patti joined their sister Karla to make a happy family of six!

From Japan and during her 72 years of marriage to John, she lived in over 50 places including Japan, Taiwan and Italy.

Zella’s life was radically changed when she gave her life to Jesus in January of 1972 and began sharing her faith with the world – beginning with her own family!

After 31 years of being a supportive military wife, they “retired” to join MAPS RVers and exchanged service to America for service to God by building churches around the U.S. for the Assembly of God Church.

Finally, they headed back home to Nebraska – where they moved 7 or 8 more times before she settled into the Good Samaritan Society in Syracuse. She and her family were thankful for the loving care she was given in those precious days, where at the age of 98 she passed peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus, her Lord.

Zella’s death was preceded by her loving husband, Ltc John Durwood Goering. She is survived by her four daughters: Karla Woodall and her husband Dave; Cheri Free and her husband Jim; Marsha Mullen and her husband Dave; Patti Chesney and her husband John; as well as her 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 23rd at 10:00 a.m. at the Fusselman-Allen-Harvey Funeral Home in Syracuse. Burial will follow at the Park Hill Cemetery in Syracuse.

Memorials are suggested to the Syracuse Good Samaritan Society, 1622 Walnut St., Syracuse, NE 68446, or to Church Helpers International, 8857 Triple X Rd., Jones, OK 73049.

Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse

Condolences to www.fusselmanallenharvey.com