Walter E. Goessl, age 78, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at Shady Lane Nursing Care Center in Manitowoc.

Wally was born on April 18, 1937 at home in Cooperstown to the late Walter and Gertrude Peot Goessl Sr. He graduated from Denmark High School with the class of 1955. After high school, Wally enlisted with the United States National Guard and served for five years. On June 17, 1961, Wally married Lorraine Boettcher at St. James Catholic Church in Cooperstown. He had worked at Eck Industries for 38 years until he retired in 1999. After retiring, Wally worked at Camp Tapawingo, and as a school crossing guard, and also volunteered at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center. Wally enjoyed playing cribbage and sheepshead, watching sports, fishing, and card tricks. He liked telling jokes so much that he earned himself the name "Wally Jokes". But above all, Wally cherished the time he was able to spend with his family and friends – especially his grandchildren. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Manitowoc.

Survivors include Wally's wife of 54 years: Lorraine; son: Joel Goessl, Manitowoc; four daughters: Sue (Tom) Preston, Manitowoc; Mary (Joe) Kiel, Manitowoc; Patti (Keith) Waack, Two Rivers; and Lynn (Greg) Franz, Manitowoc; 11 grandchildren: Justin (Liz), Tessa (Cory), Bobby, Alexis, Zack, Olivia, Austin, Krystal, Lucas, Reigha, and Rinoa; great grandson: Justin; brother: Eugene (Terri) Goessl, Sun Prairie; also other relatives and friends. Wally was preceded in death by his parents, two infant sons, three brothers, two sisters, and one grandson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at St. Francis of Assisi on Grand – 1416 Grand Avenue, Manitowoc. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Dave Beaudry with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery. Following the committal service at the cemetery, a luncheon for family and friends will be held at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. The family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

Wally's family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to Shady Lane Nursing Care Center and Homecare Health Services and Hospice.